The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has expressed its gratitude for a significant financial boost from the Government of Canada. The $12.5 million support, part of the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF), will go towards a project aimed at enhancing containerized grain handling capacity at the Port of Montreal.
Project overview
Total project value: $25 million
Government contribution: $12.5 million
Main objective: Increase and optimize operational space, boosting container storage capacity by 20%
The project focuses on redeveloping and upgrading the grain containerization sector at the port. It will specifically benefit the terminal operated by DG CanEst Transit Inc., a company specializing in exporting containerized grain from the Port of Montreal to international markets.
Growth and impact
Over the past decade, the containerized grain sector at the Port of Montreal has seen remarkable growth:
78% increase in the last ten years
One of the port's most prolific sectors
Julie Gascon, President and CEO of MPA, stated: "This important project will enable us to increase the capacity and efficiency of containerized grain handling, better serving local producers and enabling them to increase their exports to high-value-added niche markets via the Port of Montreal, benefiting companies, the supply chain, and the Canadian and Quebec economy."
The project encompasses several key developments:
Commissioning of a new electrical substation
Demolition of the old electrical substation
Improvements to the CanEst courtyard and rainwater outlet
Refurbishment of level crossing
Work in Port of Montreal Workshop 42 yard
This initiative is expected to open new export opportunities to various global markets, including:
Asia
Mediterranean
Northern Europe
Middle East
Latin America
Africa
The government's financial support complements a previous project by DG CanEst Transit Inc., which received funding in 2022 for infrastructure upgrades and new equipment purchases.
Port of Montreal
The Port of Montreal plays a crucial role in grain handling, featuring:
Containerized grain facility operated by DG CanEst Transit Inc.
Large bulk grain elevator operated by Viterra
Annually, millions of tonnes of grain pass through these two infrastructures, underlining the port's significance in the grain trade.
This project represents a significant step forward in enhancing Montreal's position as a key player in the global grain market, promising increased efficiency and expanded opportunities for Canadian grain exporters.
