Montreal Port Authority (MPA) welcomed MS Maasdam on June 10, the first ship to dock at Port of Montreal’s new cruise terminal. “Now fully up and running, this new terminal bolsters the city’s international positioning by offering an efficient, friendly and prestigious welcome to cruise passengers from all over the world, and all just in time to celebrate its 375th anniversary!” said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of Montreal Port Authority.
The works related to revitalizing Alexandra Pier will be completed in September 2017 with a huge family celebration. Revitalization work on Alexandra Pier began in November 2015, and was made possible through the financial contributions of the government of Quebec ($20 million), the City of Montreal ($15 million), and the Port Authority ($43 million), bringing the total investment to $78 million.
“I am simply delighted to welcome this first ship to the Port of Montreal’s new cruise terminal. The Alexandra Pier revitalization project enables us to add to Montreal’s appeal, which will help make the city and the province even more attractive as world-class destinations,” said Isabelle Melançon, MNA for Verdun, on behalf of Quebec Tourism Minister Julie Boulet.
“This major legacy for Montreal’s 375th anniversary is an added attraction promoting the development of tourism in our great city. A bearer of economic benefits, this investment will also give Montrealers better access to the river,” said Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security, and Minister responsible for the Montreal region.
“The City of Montreal is very pleased to be a partner in this major undertaking. The port of Montreal is a founding component in the city’s history. Over the years, it has remained a vital economic engine of our economy. The opening of this terminal is a perfect fit with Montreal’s 375th festivities. All our visitors will enjoy an even more impressive welcome. The arrival of the first cruise ship to the Alexandra Pier Cruise Terminal launches the Montreal cruise season, a booming tourist industry,” said Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal.
Alexandra Pier is an infrastructure that dates back more than a century, and a full overhaul of the cruise terminal was overdue. This new terminal makes it possible to better meet the needs of cruise ships and passengers when they arrive in Montreal. Work will continue over the summer to complete the port Interpretation Centre, the green roof, the parking area and a large public square designed to give Montrealers and visitors better access to the river. On September 10, the public will be invited to make the most of the facilities at the grand opening in the form of a family celebration. Lastly, in 2019, a signature tower will be inaugurated at the far end of the terminal in 2019. CSL wins Lloyd’s List Americas’
2017 Shipoperator of the Year award
CSL Group was honoured to receive the prestigious 2017 Ship Operator of the Year award at the Lloyd’s List Americas gala dinner held in New York City on May 25. The award recognizes excellence in business development, safety, efficiency and reliability, and is open to ship operators in North, South and Central America.
“It is a great honour for CSL to be accepting this award, which is a tribute to the passion, dedication and innovative spirit of our outstanding ship and shore employees,” said Louis Martel, President and CEO, The CSL Group. “Every day we take great pride in delivering exceptional service to our customers in the most efficient, safe and sustainable way – and we constantly seek to get better. As we continue to modernize our fleet, we are bringing advanced technologies into our ship and shore operations that will elevate our business for years to come.”
CSL’s Vice-President of Government and Industry Affairs, Kirk Jones, accepted the award on behalf of the Company. In a show of support to the future of the industry, he was joined at the CSL table by a group of cadets from Massachusetts Maritime Academy who are studying international maritime business.
This is second time CSL has won a Lloyd’s List ship operator award. In 2015, CSL was named the Inland/Coastal/Lakes Operator of the Year.