Railcar ferry earns special award
June 28, 2010
The Association québécoise du transport et des routes has awarded CN and the Port of Sept-Îles a grand prize for excellence in transportation in the ‘freight transportation’ category. The prize, which recognizes efforts to improve the performance of freight transportation networks and modes, was given to CN and the port for their development of a rail and maritime transportation route serving Northern Quebec and Labrador.
Unveiled in November 2008, the route incorporates a CN-owned train ferry that uses Port of Sept-Îles handling, marshalling and intermodal transport infrastructures. This alternative to road transportation helps improve conditions in the North Shore region by reducing congestion on Route 138 and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
According to data published in 2006 by the Office of Energy Efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions from rail transportation are estimated to be six times lower than those produced by heavy trucks, while maritime transportation boasts GHG emissions 10 times lower, according to the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council.
Thanks to the CN-Port of Sept-Îles solution, the rail route to Northern Quebec and Labrador is now accessible from all across North America. “With the railcar ferry linking Sept-Îles and Matane, the major industries in the region, including mining companies, will enjoy an intermodal solution that allows them to increase their access to markets and thus boost their competitiveness and business development potential,” CN and the port said in a joint release.
A big part of the railcar ferry’s success can be attributed to the joint efforts of three of its first customers – Aluminerie Alouette, the IOC mining company (Rio Tinto) and Wabush Mines (Cliffs Natural Resources) – all of which contributed to the development of the transportation system before its official launch.
“Given the economic vitality of the North Shore, due in large part to the booming iron market and the massive hydroelectric project of La Romaine, the new service comes at a timely moment to provide big industries with a cost-effective alternative for supplying their operations and an advantageous solution for reducing pressure on the overused regional road network,” the port said.
“CN is delighted to receive a grand prize of excellence in transportation for this joint project,” the railway said. “We will continue to work closely with representatives from the community of Sept-Îles with a view to continuing to do more to meet the region’s needs.”