An assessment of the effects of increased maritime traffic on subaquatic noise in the Saguenay River (WSP, 2017) concluded that, even in MAXIMUM traffic conditions (i.e., an increase of 410 ships by 2030 due to the ongoing projects in the Saguenay region, including Blackrock and GNL Québec), the river would remain unaffected by noise from large ships 95.7% of the time when belugas are present, i.e., between May and October. Taking only the noise from traffic related to the shipping terminal facilities on the north shore into consideration, under maximum multi-user conditions (140 ships), the Saguenay would remain free of noise from these ships for 97.4% of the period when belugas are present there (in French).   In addition, Arianne Phosphate and Rio Tinto have signed a project agreement concerning potential maritime services sharing. The agreement provides for discussions focused on Arianne’s use of ships serving Rio Tinto to deliver its phosphate concentrate to international markets, thus minimizing the increase in maritime traffic on the Saguenay. During the BAPE hearings, Arianne informed the commission that it wishes to use Rio Tinto ships to transport apatite concentrate that these ships could represent 25% of all vessels used. This percentage could be reduced. Arianne will require approximately 60 ships per year, depending on the vessels’ tonnage.