The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) takes its role as a consensus builder within the port community very seriously. It is fully aware that the success of the intermodal transport chain depends upon the strength of each individual link.

Accordingly, several years ago, the port authority created two committees that are still at work and involve all of the port's stakeholders. The first committee works to increase the competitiveness of the entire port system, while the second strives to improve operations and enhance performance.

For the Montreal Port Authority, providing its clientele with first-rate facilities and services is the best way to contribute to the port's competitiveness. In keeping with this primary goal, it continues to invest in the expansion and improvement of its infrastructures: close to $152 million is budgeted for the 2005-2009 period.

The MPA uses new technologies to make management, operations and communications more efficient. It also goes one step further by facilitating their adoption by Montreal's maritime industry.

Electronic data interchange (EDI) is used throughout the Montreal port system. At least 70 per cent of containership manifests are transmitted electronically by shipping lines to the Montreal Port Authority and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

Satellite navigation and electronic marine charts give almost bionic vision to ships travelling to and from the port. Electronic water-level monitors allow deep-draft vessels to optimize their loading.

The port authority has its own fibre-optic telecommunications network to instantly transmit an abundance of information from one end of the port to another. This network alone represents an investment of $2 million in new technology.

The Montreal Port Authority conducts market research, and monitors shipping trends. It shares its findings with its partners in the maritime transportation industry.

The Montreal Port Authority was the first Canadian port authority to offer incentives to shipping lines to stimulate container traffic. Since 1986, it has awarded $126 million in incentives to the container-shipping lines using the Port of Montreal.

Incentives are awarded to shipping lines that post increases in international and domestic container traffic, as well as to those who transport Mediterranean, Latin American, African and Canadian-landbridge container cargo. There are also incentives to increase container cargo to and from North American markets located west of Ontario in Canada, and west of Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida in the United States.

Shipping lines that register increased container-cargo tonnages at the end of the year compared with their average traffic for the three previous years, are also eligible for extra incentives.

The port authority also supports the non-containerized general cargo and bulk cargo categories. For example, it has reduced wharfage charges on steel products and raw sugar, and it maintains competitive grain elevation charges.

In addition to taking measures that help make the port even more competitive, the Montreal Port Authority has intensified its promotion of the port's advantages around the world. It has undertaken joint initiatives with shipping lines and agencies, terminal operators and railways.

For example, the port authority and its partners conduct an annual tour of major North American markets to meet with importers, exporters and freight forwarders. With its partners and clients, it also visits major European port cities in order to meet with shippers.

The agency's marketing and development division has an annual budget of more than $2 million, which it uses to promote the competitive advantages of the Port of Montreal and to carry out market studies. Its activities cover market development, commercial affairs and promotion, economic studies, communications and advertising.

The Montreal Port Authority is now more determined than ever to pursue its development strategy, aimed at providing both its present and future clients with top-notch facilities that satisfy their needs.

This strategy, which was first adopted in 1988 following comprehensive studies on issues such as the evolution of traffic and space requirements, was reinforced in 2000 when the port authority once again carried out this time-consuming and demanding exercise in order to address long-term infrastructure needs – and ensure the port's future. The exercise showed first and foremost that the MPA needs to retain and expand its port infrastructures, particularly those on the Island of Montreal, and maintain its landbank at Contrecoeur, located downstream from Montreal.

True to its development strategy, the MPA will continue to favour maximum use of port facilities on the Island of Montreal, and acquire any available land that can be economically developed adjacent to active handling zones on the Island of Montreal. It also will maintain its landbank at Contrecoeur in order to ensure the Port of Montreal's long-term growth.

A bright future lies ahead for the Port of Montreal because of its undeniable strengths, most notably its unique and strategic geographic location that is ideally suited to serve two huge trading blocs ? North America and Europe. Modern and efficient facilities, reliable and fast door-to-door transport services, and state-of-the-art intermodal infrastructures (including dockside rail access) can only contribute to the Port of Montreal's growth.