Logistec Corporation, a marine and environmental services provider, and its partner MSC Canada announced that Termont Terminal Inc. has signed a long-term lease agreement with Montreal Port Authority to manage its new Viau Terminal. This redeveloped site will include a full-service berth for container vessels, two state-of-the-art post-Panamax cranes, a modern automated truck-marshalling gate, an efficient intermodal service using on-terminal rail operations, and a high-density container yard.
Termont Montréal Inc. is owned by Termont Terminal Inc. (owned by Logistec Stevedoring Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Logistec Corporation, and Cerescorp Company) and Cortelina International Corp. (MSC Canada through affiliated companies). Termont Montréal Inc. has signed a long-term contract to handle the majority of the business of Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC) at the port of Montreal.
“The port of Montreal is a strategic gateway for container shipping in North America. The development of this new capacity is not only good for Termont, MSC, and the Port, but also for Montreal, Quebec and Canada. With its intermodal networks, Montreal is a key facilitator for international trade. The new Viau terminal will provide Termont with the additional space it needs to deliver quick turnaround times and efficient cargo handling services to Port of Montreal’s current and future customers, and thus support MSC as it continues to grow its services through the port of Montreal,” said Madeleine Paquin, Chair of Termont Terminal Inc. and President and CEO of Logistec Corporation.
The Viau Terminal will be operated by Termont Montréal Inc. (Termont). In addition to its existing business at the Maisonneuve Terminal, Termont will oversee day-to-day activities at the new Viau facility, and provide cargo and container handling, inventory management, and transloading to truck or rail via CN and CP rail lines.
Construction of the Viau Terminal will be completed in two phases, the first of which will create container-handling capacity for an additional 350,000 TEUs by 2016. The second phase will provide facilities for another 250,000 TEUs, for a total of 600,000 TEUs at the new facility. Termont will be investing approximately $42 million in new equipment at the Viau Terminal over a two-year period. This includes two new ship-to-shore post-Panamax cranes, five rubber-tire gantry cranes, six reach stackers, electrically-powered reefer stations, and a variety of tractors, trailers and lifters. During construction of the first phase, Logistec has made its newly purchased LHM 600 mobile harbour crane available to support Termont’s activities.
“MSC’s commitment to the Canadian market along with the strategic growth plans of its customers are at the core of all our business decisions”, said Mr. Sokat Shaikh, President, MSC Canada. “The continued expansion of our Canadian services, hand in hand with the expansion of our global network is literally second to none. We have learnt from our customers’ growing needs that our supply chain network must have stability through land-based infrastructure investments. The expansion of Termont (Viau) terminal will further reinforce MSC’s commitment to Canada, and serve our partners in business for years to come. We are simply proud to be a part of Canada’s future.”
“Termont is currently operating at full capacity and handled over 500,000 TEUs in 2014. This project will allow us to efficiently handle well over one million TEUs of container traffic and accommodate customer growth,” said Julien Dubreuil, General Manager of Termont Montréal Inc. “With Canada’s free trade agreement with the European Union coming into effect next year, this expansion will also help us maintain our competitiveness and provide quick turnaround for our clientele.”
“I am extremely pleased that the future Viau Terminal will be operated by Termont, a great partner for Port of Montreal since 1987,” said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority. “I am sure that this project will be a great success, adding a capacity of 600,000 TEUs annually.”