The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

The MPA continues its momentum with a 4th year of growth

(Posted on 09/05/18)

As part of the annual meeting of the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), Ms. Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the MPA, presented the results and activities for 2017. For the fourth year in a row, the total volume of goods handled rose to a new historic high, at 38 million tonnes. This is a growth of 7.6% compared to 2016.

Marked by Montreal's 375th anniversary, the year 2017 was an opportunity to remember that the Port of Montreal is a major founding element of the city. The theme of the 2017 Annual Report, "A History with a Future," expresses the continuity between the past and the future.

"The longstanding city/port cohabitation encouraged the Port of Montreal to show a lot of creativity and adaptability to ensure its growth. We believe that the creative streak that has always run through us now positions us as a smart, innovative port that always aims ahead," said Sylvie Vachon.

The Port of Montreal posted volume growth in every sector: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid and dry bulk.

The volume of containers handled at the Port of Montreal rose 5.8% in 2017 compared to the previous year, from 13.1 to 13.8 million tonnes. Two growth drivers largely explain these very good results: the markets of Asia and the Mediterranean, which posted respective increases of 14% and 21% in international traffic.

Turning to dry bulk, the results show an increase of 10.8% in 2017, reaching 9.3 million tonnes, with notable increases in iron ore, salt and metal scrap. Liquid bulk traffic totalled 14.7 million tonnes, up 7% over 2016.