Preliminary results for 2024
Press release
Port of Montreal volumes hold steady despite a challenging year
Montreal, January 9, 2025 — The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) announces that, following an economic slowdown in 2023 and despite major challenges in 2024, overall tonnage remained stable compared to 2023, with 35.26 million metric tons (tonnes) of goods handled. This shows that the Port of Montreal is a diversified port and an asset for its resilience.
“Even though the container segment is still down due to uncertainty over the stability of labour relations in the supply chain in recent years, and despite the challenges, the Port of Montreal’s overall results were stable in 2024 thanks to tremendous teamwork and great collaboration between the MPA and port partners. I thank them,” said Julie Gascon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority. “The Port of Montreal is a resilient port, with all the advantages it needs to face adversity, including preferential access to markets, a business model based on a trade balance between imports and exports, a wide range of offerings to its clients, and the great expertise and strong commitment of the women and men who work here every day,” she added.
Dry bulk up, containers down, other segments stable
At a total of 35.26 million tonnes, cargo handling held steady overall in 2024, dipping 0.25% compared to 2023.
It was the dry bulk sector that posted the strongest increase in 2024 with 8.86 million tonnes, a 9% upswing over the previous year. This result is due to the excellent cereal harvest, which led to a 25% surge in the grain sector, and to increased demand for sugar, up 11%.
The container sector, impacted by work stoppages in the supply chain such as the one on the Port’s own docks, posted a 3.88% dip in cargo to 12.58 million tonnes. Despite this, trade with Ontario and the rest of Canada gained 2%, while trade with Northern Europe rose 5.3%. It is noteworthy that the uncertainty over labour relations has had a major impact on the container segment in recent years, resulting in a 12.6% drop in tonnage since 2022.
Turning to liquid bulk, volumes remained stable compared to 2023, at 13.62 million tonnes.
The non-containerized goods sector returned to its usual volumes, totalling close to 197,000 tonnes.
Please note that these preliminary results will be audited and officially released in full at the MPA’s annual meeting in May.
Gold-Headed Cane awarded
On the first of January at 1:07 a.m., the MSC Shannon III was the first ocean-going vessel of 2025 to cross the Port of Montreal’s downstream limit at Sorel without a stopover. By doing so, it won the Gold-Headed Cane according to the rules governing this competition that is part of Montreal’s long maritime tradition.
The container ship set sail from the Port of Le Havre, France on December 20, 2024, carrying everyday goods and products of use to the public and business alike, including medical and pharmaceutical equipment, food and products for the automotive industry. Its journey ended at the Port of Montreal’s Berth 67, operated by Termont. As per the Port of Montreal’s business model of balanced trade, the ship departed on January 7 bound for London, United Kingdom, loaded with containers full of commodities and products for exports from local companies.
The Gold-Headed Cane is awarded to the master of the first ocean-going vessel to reach the port of Montreal without a stopover at the start of the new year. Until 1964, the Gold-Headed Cane was awarded in the spring to encourage a resumption of shipping, because Montreal was cut off from the world during the long winter months. Since icebreakers made year-round navigation possible, the Cane has been awarded at the beginning of each year to the master of the first ocean-going vessel to dock here without a stopover. Captains from myriad countries covet this trophy. Learn more about this great Port of Montreal tradition here. Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the largest container port in Eastern Canada and a diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. The only container port in Quebec, it is a destination port served by the largest shipping lines in the world. It is also an intermodal hub with a service offering that is unique in North America, featuring its own rail network directly dockside connected to Canada’s two national rail networks. The MPA also operates a Cruise Terminal and a Port Centre. The MPA factors economic, social and environmental components into its corporate initiatives. This commitment is governed by a sustainable development policy whose guiding principles focus on involvement, cooperation and accountability. Port activity in Canada supports some 590,000 jobs and generates $93.5 billion in economic activity.About the Gold-Headed Cane tradition
About the Port of Montreal
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