CANADA plans to invest C$18.5 million (US$14 million) to bolster trucking operations at the Port of Montreal and ease congestion as cargo volumes surged to a record high of 1.6 million TEU in 2018 - it's fifth consecutive year of growth.
The funds will be used to pay for a digital logistics system, bridge, electronic signs and an 'intelligent communications network' to accelerate the flow of the 2,500 trucks that visit the nation's second biggest port per day, reported New York's FreightWaves.
Said Transport Minister Marc Garneau: 'Upgrades to the port infrastructure will ensure that Canada's transportation networks remain competitive and efficient. The investment at the port will also help reduce congestion and truck traffic in and around its various terminals.'
Montreal has already significantly reduced processing times in bid to lower congestion by implementing measures that include extending gate hours. In the first seven months of this year, the port processed trucks in 47 minutes on average, shaving off seven minutes compared to the same period last year.
The investment in Montreal is part of a wider push by the federal government to boost international trade flows, and it has just unveiled funding of CAD40 million to realise that goal.
The new funding includes C$20 million to ramp up rail capacity in Abbotsford, British Columbia, which will benefit the port of Vancouver, and C$12.4 million to upgrade infrastructure at Grand Hills Railway in Saskatchewan.
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The funds will be used to pay for a digital logistics system, bridge, electronic signs and an 'intelligent communications network' to accelerate the flow of the 2,500 trucks that visit the nation's second biggest port per day, reported New York's FreightWaves.
Said Transport Minister Marc Garneau: 'Upgrades to the port infrastructure will ensure that Canada's transportation networks remain competitive and efficient. The investment at the port will also help reduce congestion and truck traffic in and around its various terminals.'
Montreal has already significantly reduced processing times in bid to lower congestion by implementing measures that include extending gate hours. In the first seven months of this year, the port processed trucks in 47 minutes on average, shaving off seven minutes compared to the same period last year.
The investment in Montreal is part of a wider push by the federal government to boost international trade flows, and it has just unveiled funding of CAD40 million to realise that goal.
The new funding includes C$20 million to ramp up rail capacity in Abbotsford, British Columbia, which will benefit the port of Vancouver, and C$12.4 million to upgrade infrastructure at Grand Hills Railway in Saskatchewan.
WORLD SHIPPING