Port of Valleyfield received a commitment of a grant of almost $3.5 million grant from the government of Québec under its Support Program for Marine Transportation Infrastructure Investments.
The Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Regulatory Reduction and Regional Economic Development, Stéphane Billette, who is also the MNA for Huntingdon, made the announcement on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Sustainable Development, Electrification of Transport, Mr. André Fortin. The total cost of this project is estimated at $ 7,251,780.
Port General Manager Jean-Philippe Paquin said, “The Port of Valleyfield is very grateful for the contribution from the government of Québec. The government has made a strategic commitment to the maritime sector and port infrastructure; an investment that will support economic development for many years while helping to reduce the environmental impacts of our transportation activities. This contribution will help us implement our development plan, which includes an increase in accessible paved staging and warehousing capacities – already underway. The project will also increase our security gate and truck weighing capacity improving cargo throughput, and finally our berth #8 project, which increases our berthage capacities and allow us to more efficiently accommodate the increasing size of general cargo ships now entering the seaway.” The port eagerly awaits confirmation regarding the berth #8 project from both the federal and provincial governments.
Maritime services provider Valport Maritime Services has kept pace with these advancements adding significantly to their cargo handling equipment and cargo management automation. Its President, Frank Dunn, remarked, “Canada’s largest ‘small’ port just got larger which has dramatically enhanced our capacity and productivity. New bulk and project cargo clients are amazed at our growth and ability to accommodate their projects. It’s a great time to be in this business.”
The Port of Valleyfield is located 40 minutes southwest of Montreal along the St. Lawrence Seaway corridor hosting four key partners: McAsphalt , Valleytank, NEAS and Valport Maritime Services (marine services management company). Boasting an expansion of 33,500 square metres new paved staging area, increased bulk storage area, and additional 3,700-square-metre warehousing add to their former capacities. The port has a vision to expand the port to underpin the local and regional economy while improving access and service for its partner tenants.
About Valport Maritime Services
Valport will soon celebrate its 25th year serving foreign and domestic cargo customers at the Port of Valleyfield with timely and productive capacities for project, breakbulk, refer and bulk cargoes. Along with the port expansion, the company’s proficiency to manage large projects has been strengthened with the significant addition of cargo handling equipment, cargo receiving technology, fabrication and assembly centre and enhanced crating and packaging centre. Valport specializes in preparing cargo bound for environmentally hostile destinations (Arctic climes, South American rainforest, extreme heat locations, more).
1Investment Support Program in maritime infrastructure monies are directed to promote:
• the maintenance, improvement and development of an adequate and competitive network of maritime freight infrastructure for the benefit of shippers;
• the maintenance or improvement of people’s marine transportation infrastructure to promote the long-term survival and ensure the quality and safety of intermediate ties in Quebec;
• growth in shipping activity; and
• the development of industrial-port areas.