Urgent dredging requested from the port of Rimouski

Fishermen and shipowners demand an urgent dredging at the port of Rimouski, failing which their operations and the safety of their crews will be compromised. “We are concerned,” said the CEO of the Port Society of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie (SPBSG), Anne Dupéré.

Radio-Canada obtained the copy of three letters in which users of the port of Rimouski share their strong concerns Regarding the absence of dredging since 2018 at the port of Rimouski.

The feasibility of sending ships to Rimouski is seriously questioned, not only from a commercial point of view, but especially from a security point of viewnotably writes an official of Petro-Nav Inc., a division of the Desgagné group which is responsible for transporting petroleum products to the port of Rimouski.

Crab fisherman Marc Doucet also sent a missive to the port manager to denounce a increasingly critical level of saphable.

Dredge works are more than urgent before that disasters that can lead to loss of human life or environmental threats.

In another letter sent to the SPBSGRelay Nordik, who owns the Bella Desgagnés, adds that Current conditions are inadequate to meet our operational needs.

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Too many sediments, less fuel

Anne Dupéré is aware of the urgency of the situation. It’s difficult for them [les armateurs] to return to the quay safely because of sedimentation. They must use the high tides when possibleexplains the CEO of the SPBSG.

Since 2020, the Mia Desgagnés had to reduce its fuel cargoes by around 6000 m³ Due to this problem, according to information contained in the letter from Petro-Nav Inc. sent to the SPBSG.

They must decrease the quantities they deliver to Rimouski, so come more often. There is a cost increasespecifies Ms. Dupéré.

The SPBSG would like to proceed with an emergency dredging this fall, but the organization has already submitted a dredging request for dredging in Quebec, which complicates the situation since the government does not allow two simultaneous requests.

It is difficult because we already have a request that is filed and it is not allowed to be able to split part of the dredging. We take steps with the authorities to make them aware of this causeexplains Ms. Dupéré.

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Drawing needs valued at $ 20 million

The last dredging in Rimouski dates from 2018, before the federal government transferred the responsibility of the Port of Rimouski to the Government of Quebec. There SPBSG Officially has just filed a new dredging request, estimated at $ 20 million.

The Office of Public Environmental Hearings (BAPE) must approve this request which provides for withdraw 113,048 m³ sediment over 10 years at the port of Rimouski. There SPBSG believes that if everything takes place roundly, the ten -year dredging could begin in 2026.

The organization is working in parallel on an ambitious renovation project of the port of Rimouski valued at $ 39 million. The investments necessary to make the dredging at the port of Rimouski, however, complicate the situation.

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Drawing has become more important than you would have believed, but the project continues. It is sure that we are more in reflection also with this whole situation. We will go back to consultation with the people of Rimouskiexplains Ms. Dupéré.

We really try to find the most logical scenario possible which respects the costs and which respects the objectives that we haveadds Anne Dupéré.

The work had to start in 2026 initially, but the project was postponed in 2028. Will it be delayed again? I don’t want to go on datesspecifies Ms. Dupéré.

The SPBSG plans to hold meetings in the coming weeks to assess different scenarios in this file.