Port of Monreal achieved new record-numbers in 2019 cargo traffic, while it saw improved performance in the financial results of the previous year. The president and CEO of Montreal Port Authority (MPA), Sylvie Vachon, presented the annual results in a virtual annual meeting.
The container sector set a new record with 1.75 million TEU of containerised cargo totalling 15.1 million tonnes cargo with the following market diversification:
- Europe: 57%
- Asia: 27%
- South America: 5%
- Africa and Oceania: 4%
For the MPA, 2019 was also a sixth consecutive record year in terms of tonnes of goods handled with the total volume of goods reached 40.6 million tonnes, up 4.3% from 2018.
MPA’s operating revenues reached CA$130 million (US$96 million), which is a 5% increase over 2018, while expenses amounted to CA$99.3 million (US$73.4 million). Including investment income, net earnings were CA$31.9 million (US$23.6 million).
The port authority highlighted that there are several projects which are underway in Montreal, such as planning for a new container terminal in Contrecœur, completing Viau Terminal, erecting the Grand Quay observation tower and developing innovative digital solutions aimed at optimising Greater Montreal’s logistics and supply chain.
The sustainable development report of the major Canadian port showed a continuous decrease over the past seven years in the intensity of GHG (greenhouse gas emissions) from MPA-specific activities per tonne of cargo handled.
One hundred and forty five sustainable development actions were taken in 2019, according to a statement, including measures to protect at-risk species, planting 750 trees, installing a new electrical connection for a decommissioned vessel and the launch of an urban beekeeping project.
Port of Montreal said in its statement that the consequences of the current health and economic crisis will challenge the Canadian port. After a solid first quarter, the MPA has already been experiencing signs of a slowdown on its docks since April, but the intermodal chain remains fully mobilized.
For the year 2020, the MPA projects a 12% drop in freight traffic compared to last year. This decline should be followed by a recovery at the end of the year and into early 2021, according to the port authority.
Furthermore, the dry bulk sector posted a strong increase of 17% over last year with a total of 9.2 million tonnes, while the liquid bulk sector remained stable compared to last year with 16.2 million tonnes handled. The non-containerised cargo sector dropped 33.5%, to 123,000 tonnes of cargo, mainly due to the end of handling oversized parts for the new Samuel-de-Champlain Bridge.
Read the full MPA’s 2019 Annual Report and Sustainability Report here.
