North Sea Port and Canadian ports intensive cooperation

(Posted on 07/02/25)

North Sea Port will cooperate intensively with the Canadian ports of Montréal, Québec, Saguenay, Sept-Îles and Trois-Rivières. This new cooperation focuses on strengthening trade between the Saguenay-Saint Laurent sea corridor and North Sea Port. Canada is North Sea Port's fourth trading partner.

North Sea Port and the five Canadian ports, located in the South West of the country, signed an agreement to shape this cooperation. This builds on a previous cooperation agreement from 2018 between the Port of Quebec and North Sea Port. This new step adds the ports of Montréal, Saguenay, Sept-Îles et Trois-Rivières to the existing cooperation. The agreement provides a framework for concrete initiatives in trade, innovation and energy transition.

The focus is on further developing the bulk sector and optimizing logistics chains between the Saguenay-Saint Laurent's Canadian hinterland, the port area of North Sea Port and north-western Europe. In addition, the ports share knowledge and insights to improve port planning and port operations.

‘Canada is North Sea Port's fourth most important trading partner in terms of cargo throughput. Our location in Western Europe is of great strategic importance for cooperation with the ports of Montréal, Québec, Saguenay, Sept-Îles en Trois-Rivières. Cooperation with these five Canadian ports can only be beneficial,’ said Maarten den Dekker, Chief Sustainability and Digital Officer of North Sea Port.

There is also cooperation in the field of technology and circular economy. The ports will promote cooperation between customers, research institutes, universities and start-ups. Sharing knowledge and successes expands networks and promotes technological innovations such as artificial intelligence in port operations.

The ports will also actively cooperate to reduce their carbon footprint. Spearheads include low-carbon energy production, greening of port areas, alternative fuels and energy efficiency initiatives.

‘We are proud to set up this cooperation framework with North Sea Port, connecting the Saguenay-Saint-Laurent corridor with a dynamic region such as the North Sea. The aim is to develop a strong collaboration and achieve results together, such as in the areas of decarbonization, knowledge and innovation,’ jointly emphasize Julie Gascon, Mario Girard, Carl Laberge, Pierre D. Gagnon and Gaétan Boivin, respectively, the Director-General of the port companies of Montréal, Québec, Saguenay, Sept-Îles et Trois-Rivières.