Archives



Freight News, Sea


MPA, Logistec boosting container handling at Port of Montreal

[ March 22, 2019   //   ]

The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) and LOGISTEC Corp. announced that Viau Terminal, which handles about 350,000 containers annually, will undergo a new construction phase to increase its handling capacity. This is its second phase, which continues and completes the most recent container terminal at the Port of Montreal. Its first phase was completed in 2016.

After a fifth consecutive record year, steady growth in its various fields of activity and a 9% upswing in the container sector with 1.7 million TEUs handled in 2018, the Port of Montreal is more than ever a hub of global trade. This is why the management teams of the MPA and LOGISTEC (through the terminal operator, Termont Montreal Inc.) decided to launch the last phase of Viau Terminal, which is so successful that it is quickly reaching full capacity, as is the Port of Montreal as a whole.

This new phase will make it possible to add 250 000 TEUs to Viau Terminal’s current capacity, bringing it to 600,000 TEUs. The project will enable the Port of Montreal to accommodate the

anticipated growth in the container sector and reach its maximum capacity on the Island of Montreal, 2.1 million TEUs. The beneficial effects of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on freight traffic, growing market internationalization, and regional and national economic vitality are among the factors that explain this positive dynamic, which shows no signs of slowing down.

The project works will run from September 2019 to December 2020 and will mainly include the following: installing piles, railway works, dynamic soil compaction, underground infrastructure works, laying foundation, and paving. Throughout the works, in accordance with the commitment made by the MPA and Termont Montreal Inc. during public consultations on the project held in 2015, mitigation measures will be implemented to minimize inconvenience to neighboring communities. For example, dust suppressants will be applied to prevent or reduce the spread of dust and motorized equipment will have high-performance mufflers.

When fully operational, Viau Terminal will generate 2,500 direct and indirect jobs, as well as $340 million in economic benefits. The terminal uses new technologies and will continue to do so, for example by electrifying certain components and using broadband reversing alarms on equipment to minimize the noise impacts of handling activities.

Tags: ,