18 November 2016 – Montréal, Québec
Termont Montréal Inc. (“Termont”), an experienced container terminal operator, and Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (“MSC”), one of the world’s largest container shipping lines, joined The Honourable Marc Garneau, Canada’s Minister of Transport; Minister Laurent Lessard, Québec’s Minister of Transport, Sustainable Transportation and Electrification of Transportation; Minister Jean D’Amour, Québec Minister for Maritime Affairs; and the Montréal Port Authority to inaugurate the Viau container terminal at the Port of Montréal in the presence of approximately 75 guests and dignitaries.
The redeveloped site at Viau terminal currently provides container capacity for an additional 350,000 TEUs at the Port of Montréal. The facility features two new state-of-the-art post-Panamax cranes, five rubber-tire gantry cranes, electrically-powered reefer stations, a modern automated truck-marshalling gate, an efficient intermodal service using on-terminal rail operations, and a high-density container yard.
“Viau terminal is an excellent example of how the public and private sectors can work together to develop world-class facilities for the benefit of businesses and communities alike,” said Madeleine Paquin, President of Termont and President and CEO of Logistec Corporation. “Termont has invested approximately $44 million on equipment and container handling services to support strategic growth for customers of both the Port of Montréal and MSC. Our combined investments have created the most modern and efficient container terminal along the St. Lawrence River, serving the northeastern part of the continent.”
The Port of Montréal is a strategic connection for container shipping in North America and benefits from MSC’s four weekly services using the Montréal gateway: one North Atlantic service, two services to the Mediterranean, and one service to the Caribbean and South America.
Viau terminal has the largest and most ecological cranes at the Port of Montréal and on-dock access to the region’s intermodal networks. The facility can also stack containers up to six units high and is expected to have the highest container density in the Port of Montréal.
“We live in a global economy and the majority of what Canadians buy at any retail point, along with manufacturing within Canada, is traded with countries worldwide,” said Sokat Shaikh, President and CEO of MSC Canada. “The 350,000 TEUs of new capacity currently available at the Port of Montréal is great news for Canadians because it means that more retail goods can be imported and more natural resources can be exported to countries around the world. MSC’s commitment to simplify Canadian trade and support our customers as they continue to expand internationally is at the core of our decision to operate at the new Viau terminal.”
In addition to Termont’s contributions, the Montréal Port Authority and Infrastructure Canada, via the New Building Canada Fund, are investing approximately $83 million in developing the terminal’s berth and permanent infrastructure.
“We are proud to inaugurate our fourth international container terminal and share this occasion with our partners at Termont and MSC. The last time we inaugurated a container terminal was at Maisonneuve, nearly 30 years ago. We thank the Government of Canada and Termont for their financial contributions to this wonderful project. The Port of Montréal continues to reinvent itself and adapt to the needs of the market and its partners to maintain its role as a driver of economic growth and a leader in sustainable development,” said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montréal Port Authority.
Construction of the Viau terminal will be completed in two phases. In the coming years, the Montréal Port Authority and Termont expect to add a second berth and develop a supplementary container reception area. This will add another 250,000 TEUs of capacity and complete the second phase of the construction project with a total terminal capacity of 600,000 TEUs.
Viau terminal container handling capacity
| Timeline | Phase of Work | Capacity |
| 2013-2014 | Preparation phase (including redevelopment of Viau grounds and Maisonneuve terminal) | 150,000 TEUs |
| 2015-2016 | Phase 1 of Viau container terminal | 200,000 TEUs |
| Coming years | Phase 2 of Viau container terminal | 250,000 TEUs |
| TOTAL | 600,000 TEUs |
About Termont
Termont Montréal Inc. is a container terminal operator that currently has a long-term contract in place for handling the business of MSC at the Port of Montréal. In addition to developing operations at the new Viau container terminal (Section 52), Termont Montréal Inc. has been managing the Maisonneuve container terminal (Section 68) for almost 30 years.
Termont Montréal Inc. is a partnership between Cortelina International Corp. Ltd., and Termont Terminal Inc., which is owned by Logistec Stevedoring Inc. (a subsidiary of Logistec Corporation) and Cerescorp Company. For more information, please visit www.termontmtl.com.
About MSC
Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. is a privately owned global shipping company founded in 1970 by Gianluigi Aponte. As one of the world’s leading container shipping lines, MSC operates 480 offices across 150 countries worldwide with over 60,000 employees in the MSC Group.
With access to an integrated network of road, rail and marine transport resources that stretches across the globe, the company prides itself on delivering global service with local knowledge. MSC’s shipping line sails on more than 200 trade routes, calling at over 315 ports. For more information, please visit www.msc.com.
About the Port of Montréal
Operated by the Montréal Port Authority, the Port of Montréal is a major diversified transshipment centre that handles goods of all kinds: containerized and non-containerized, liquid bulk and solid bulk. It is a leading container port served by the world’s largest container shipping companies.
In 2015, the Port of Montréal handled 32 million tonnes of cargo and welcomed 91,000 passengers and crewmembers at its passenger terminal. 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 benefits annually. For more information, please visit www.port-montréal.com.