THE Port of Montreal posted a 4.2 per cent year-on-year increase in container volume to 1.4 million TEU in 2014 as it lifted capacity 13 per cent to 2.1 million TEU with the opening of a grain containerisation facility.
Monthly growth surged 5.9 per cent in July, the month most shippers were trying to avoid the west coast shrinking from October, reflecting a rise in diversions of cargo away from US west coast ports.
"There is sufficient landside capacity to accommodate traffic surges," said port spokeswoman Melanie Nadeau, adding that healthy volume on Mediterranean and Caribbean services helped lift volumes.
The second-largest Canadian container port after Vancouver said it can handle more volume growth in the short-term as expansion projects completed last year.
The Canadian government and the port authority announced plans to spend US$132 million to boost capacity at the port. Under a three-prong strategy set to be completed by 2018, a C$83 million (US$67.1 million) container terminal will be built in the Viau sector.
The new terminal will have an annual capacity of 450,00 TEU with C$26 million spent to improve vessel access by improving berths to handle larger vessels with heavier loads, as well C$23 million earmarked to improve truck access for the roughly 2,500 trucks that move in and out of the port daily.
Ottawa will also provide C$43.6 million for the project, with the port authority funding the rest.
"This announcement is big news for Montreal. This investment will allow the port to become even more competitive and further expand its global reach," said port manager Sylvie Vachon.
The port currently receives over 2,000 ships annually and handled an estimated 28 million tonnes of cargo as of 2012, acting a transshipment point for consumer goods, machinery, grain, sugar, petroleum products and other types of cargo.
PORTS
28 January 2015 - 22:40
Montreal up 4.2pc to 1.4 million TEU, to open grain containerisation unit
THE Port of Montreal posted a 4.2 per cent year-on-year increase in container volume to 1.4 million TEU in 2014 as it lifted capacity 13 per cent to 2.1 million TEU with the opening of a grain containerisation facility.
PORTS
28 January 2015 - 22:40
Montreal up 4.2pc to 1.4 million TEU, to open grain containerisation unit
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