The Montreal Port Authority welcomes the development of industrial port areas in Quebec

MONTREAL, March 3, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) heartedly welcomes the Government of Quebec's announcement of its $300 million investment in the development of Industrial port areas throughout Quebec. 

"We believe in the merits of the concept of industrial port areas, and we are very pleased with these major investments. Montreal is a natural, ideally suited site to implement such a concept. Like the Port of Montreal, ports are real engines for attracting business and there will definitely be no shortage of interest in developing business in this stimulating context," stated Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the MPA.

As Greater Montreal's freight transportation hub, the MPA plans to fully participate in this project, alongside its many partners, such as CargoM, the municipalities and the Government of Quebec.  

The implementation of industrial port areas throughout Quebec is part of the Quebec government's Maritime Strategy 2015-2020 Action Plan, a policy made public in June 2015 and hailed with great satisfaction by the MPA.

"The project to develop industrial and port areas is a perfect fit with our business strategy, called Port+, which aims to pool efforts toward common issues and opportunities, and to provide value-added services close to port facilities," added Ms. Vachon. "Our project to develop a container terminal at Contrecoeur is also bound to contribute positively to the government's commitment to maximize the attraction that a port holds for business." 

The MPA also hails the Government of Quebec's commitment to invest in port and intermodal infrastructures through a $200 million budget provided for by the Ministry of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification.

About the Port of Montreal

Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is a major diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods – containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. It is a leading container port served by the largest container shipping lines in the world.

Based on preliminary data, the Port of Montreal handled 32 million tonnes of cargo and welcomed 91,000 passengers and crewmembers at its cruise terminal in 2015. It has its own rail network directly dockside. It is connected to the two national rail networks and a highway system.

Port activity supports 16,000 jobs and generates $2.1 billion in economic spin-offs annually.

SOURCE PORT OF MONTREAL

For further information: Mélanie Nadeau, Director of Communications, [e-mail], T: 514-283-7050, www.port-montreal.com