The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) announces that, following an economic slowdown in 2023 and despite major challenges in 2024, overall tonnage remained stable compared to 2023, with 35.26 million metric tons (tonnes) of goods handled.
“Even though the container segment is still down due to uncertainty over the stability of labour relations in the supply chain in recent years, and despite the challenges, the Port of Montreal’s overall results were stable in 2024 thanks to tremendous teamwork and great collaboration between the MPA and port partners” said Julie Gascon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority.
At a total of 35.26 million tonnes, cargo handling held steady overall in 2024, dipping 0.25% compared to 2023. It was the dry bulk sector that posted the strongest increase in 2024 with 8.86 million tonnes, a 9% upswing over the previous year. This result is due to the excellent cereal harvest, which led to a 25% surge in the grain sector, and to increased demand for sugar, up 11%.
The container sector, impacted by work stoppages in the supply chain such as the one on the Port’s own docks, posted a 3.88% dip in cargo to 12.58 million tonnes. Despite this, trade with Ontario and the rest of Canada gained 2%, while trade with Northern Europe rose 5.3%. The uncertainty over labour relations has had a major impact on the container segment in recent years, resulting in a 12.6% drop in tonnage since 2022.
Liquid bulk volumes remained stable compared to 2023, at 13.62 million tonnes.
The non-containerized goods sector returned to its usual volumes, totalling close to 197,000 tonnes.
Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the largest container port in Eastern Canada and a diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. The only container port in Quebec, it is a destination port served by the largest shipping lines in the world. It is also an intermodal hub with a service offering that is unique in North America, featuring its own rail network directly dockside connected to Canada’s two national rail networks. The MPA also operates a Cruise Terminal and a Port Centre.