The Port of Montreal handled 12 million tonnes in first half of 2007
For the first six months of 2007, global merchandise traffic handled by the Port of Montreal surpassed the 12 million tonne mark, reaching 12 090 590 tonnes, an increase of 108,000 tonnes or almost 1% compared with the same period in 2006-the highest increase in the port's history.
"Our mid-year results are consistent with the record results we have attained during the last five years, particularly in the container category where we foresee our strong performance continuing until 2012 and beyond," stated Mr. Dominic J. Taddeo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Montreal Port Authority. "These results continue to reinforce the importance of Montreal as a strategic gateway and the premier inter-modal hub in North America.
On June 30th, 2007, the general cargo sector, composed of containerized and non-containerized general cargo, totalled more than 6.2 million tonnes, a rise in slightly more than 292, 000 tonnes or 4.9% since the same period last year.
Containerized general cargo, which accounts for more than half of total traffic handled at the Port of Montreal, reached almost 6.1 million tonnes, slightly greater than 410,000 tonnes more than in the first six months of 2006. This represents a growth rate of 7.2%, two percentage points more than the past five year average of 5.2%.
The number of TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) reached 672,265, increasing by 33,052 TEUs or 5.2% since 2006. "On June 23rd the shipping line, MSC, added a third ship to the route it operates between Montreal and Freeport, Bahamas, which will allow us to anticipate greater growth in containerized traffic between now and the end of the year," added Mr. Taddeo.
Conversely, non-containerized general cargo declined by 118,000 tonnes, totalling 160,000. Fewer steel product imports as a result of greater exports to China are behind the decline.
The dry bulk sector, which includes grain products, surpassed 2.5 million tonnes, a decline of almost 2.7% compared to the same period last year.
Grain products did, however, outperform all other sectors by rising 6.5% to 701,000 tonnes. This excellent performance is a result of strong corn and soya volumes. Other dry bulk totalled a little more than 1.8 million tonnes, a decline of 114,000 tonnes or 5.8% compared with the same period in 2006. The demand for salt was reduced because of Montreal's relatively warmer winter in 2007.
With respect to liquid bulk, this sector of activity totalled 3.3 million tonnes, a decrease of 112,000 tonnes or 3.3% less than the same period last year. Lower demand for certain petroleum products, specifically for industrial oil, as well as late deliveries of motor oil, contributed to the decline.
The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) is an autonomous and profitable federal agency created by law to operate the port facilities in Montreal on a commercial basis. Managed by a Board of Directors composed of Montreal business people, the MPA operates its own railway network, a grain terminal and a marine terminal and leases the Port of Montreal terminals to private stevedoring firms. Through its activities, the Port of Montreal generates over $2 billion in annual economic spin-offs and creates about 18,000 direct and indirect jobs.
"Our mid-year results are consistent with the record results we have attained during the last five years, particularly in the container category where we foresee our strong performance continuing until 2012 and beyond," stated Mr. Dominic J. Taddeo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Montreal Port Authority. "These results continue to reinforce the importance of Montreal as a strategic gateway and the premier inter-modal hub in North America.
On June 30th, 2007, the general cargo sector, composed of containerized and non-containerized general cargo, totalled more than 6.2 million tonnes, a rise in slightly more than 292, 000 tonnes or 4.9% since the same period last year.
Containerized general cargo, which accounts for more than half of total traffic handled at the Port of Montreal, reached almost 6.1 million tonnes, slightly greater than 410,000 tonnes more than in the first six months of 2006. This represents a growth rate of 7.2%, two percentage points more than the past five year average of 5.2%.
The number of TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) reached 672,265, increasing by 33,052 TEUs or 5.2% since 2006. "On June 23rd the shipping line, MSC, added a third ship to the route it operates between Montreal and Freeport, Bahamas, which will allow us to anticipate greater growth in containerized traffic between now and the end of the year," added Mr. Taddeo.
Conversely, non-containerized general cargo declined by 118,000 tonnes, totalling 160,000. Fewer steel product imports as a result of greater exports to China are behind the decline.
The dry bulk sector, which includes grain products, surpassed 2.5 million tonnes, a decline of almost 2.7% compared to the same period last year.
Grain products did, however, outperform all other sectors by rising 6.5% to 701,000 tonnes. This excellent performance is a result of strong corn and soya volumes. Other dry bulk totalled a little more than 1.8 million tonnes, a decline of 114,000 tonnes or 5.8% compared with the same period in 2006. The demand for salt was reduced because of Montreal's relatively warmer winter in 2007.
With respect to liquid bulk, this sector of activity totalled 3.3 million tonnes, a decrease of 112,000 tonnes or 3.3% less than the same period last year. Lower demand for certain petroleum products, specifically for industrial oil, as well as late deliveries of motor oil, contributed to the decline.
The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) is an autonomous and profitable federal agency created by law to operate the port facilities in Montreal on a commercial basis. Managed by a Board of Directors composed of Montreal business people, the MPA operates its own railway network, a grain terminal and a marine terminal and leases the Port of Montreal terminals to private stevedoring firms. Through its activities, the Port of Montreal generates over $2 billion in annual economic spin-offs and creates about 18,000 direct and indirect jobs.