The shipping platform

Location: Baie-Comeau is located on the N shore of the St Lawrence River, NE of the mouth of the Manicouagan River and 179nm E of Quebec. General overview: Baie-Comeau is a shipping port for exporting goods produced in the region and is connected to the provincial highway system. There is a daily passenger ferry service and a rail ferry service which crosses the St Lawrence River between Baie-Comeau and Matane. Baie-Comeau is the only city in Eastern Quebec linking the North shore to the North American railway network. Rail cargo shipment as far away as Sept Iles must be routed through Baie Comeau to reach Canadian and North American markets. The harbour is open all year round, but occasionally the assistance of icebreakers may be required. Cargo handled is mainly wood, newspaper, salt and general merchandise. The private berths of Cargill and Alcoa are to the N of the port. Traffic figures: Approx 438 vessels and 5,573,117t of cargo handled annually. Load line zone: North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.