Our strategies

Excel to stand out

A highly efficient and competitive port

The port industry is on the move and offers unique opportunities for the Port of Montreal to rethink its role in supply chains.

However, the fundamentals remain. To continue to be an attractive port destination, we must maintain high standards of performance, notably with respect to the chain's fluidity and reliability. Operational excellence and client experience remain at the heart of the Port's competitiveness.

To achieve this, the MPA will:

Adopt a modern, efficient fee tariff model

Some of the components of our fee structure need to be updated to better cover the MPA's investments and improve its competitiveness.

This new model will also be aligned with new logistics issues, our strategy to optimize port territories, and the new container terminal in Contrecœur

Specifically, we will:

Update fees

Congestion and changes in supply chains compel us to rethink our fee structure. Updating our fees will enable us to collect revenues in a way that reflects this new reality. A new fee structure will also act as an incentive to encourage responsible behaviour on the part of our partners and clients. The MPA wants to reward eco-responsible behaviour, thereby supporting our decarbonization objectives.

Mobilize the entire logistics ecosystem

To be able to seize market opportunities, we want to bring our partners together in a common vision to make the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes axis a destination of choice for marine carriers and companies using the chain.

Specifically, we will:

Set up an executive decision-making forum with key partners and users

The success of the MPA, and indirectly that of the Montreal supply chain, depends largely on the collaboration between its players. We want to use our impartial position as a trusted partner to lead a permanent decision-making forum with the sector's major players. This forum will help improve the client experience and raise the service levels that have historically been the backbone of the Port of Montreal.

Implement innovative one-stop collaboration tools

To improve data sharing among port community stakeholders, the MPA plans to roll out a series of collaborative tools. For example, at the rail level, the MPA will launch an AI tool that optimizes railcar and train management. Similarly, the MPA is focused on modernizing its marine information capture to be more open and collaborative.

Review the rail service delivery model

The Port of Montreal relies on its own rail network, making us an important stabilizing factor in the logistics chain. However, the performance of the national rail network has been severely impaired in recent years (blockades, flooding, congestion, strikes, etc.), even on critical intermodal corridors serving the port.

To remedy the situation, and more importantly to prevent future disruptions, the MPA must strengthen its rail partnerships to restore a world-class level of service and excellence.

Develop new market opportunities

To ensure the growth of our commercial activities and position ourselves advantageously in promising markets, we will develop a new canvassing strategy.

Whether to promote our new terminal in Contrecoeur or to broaden our influence in Ontario and internationally, we will focus on new marketing pillars to ensure the Port of Montreal's sustainability and growth.

Specifically, we will:

Expand our scope of influence in the Montreal supply chain

Recent dysfunctions in supply chains have shown that ports need to rethink their business model. From short sea shipping to the development of dry ports* to increase the absorption capacity of port facilities, we are rethinking our role in the Montreal supply chain. Over the plan period, we intend to perform prospective studies and test new logistics models with a view to diversifying our activities and ensuring our long-term resilience..

**A dry port is an intermodal terminal directly connected to a seaport via a rail or road network used to transship marine cargo to inland destinations.

Restructure and optimize our marketing approach

The geostrategic and environmental advantages of the Port of Montreal are currently little known to the public, and even certain clients. As such, we will deploy a proactive outreach marketing strategy in Ontario and abroad.

Ensure the long-term viability of our liquid bulk activities by integrating more renewable products

The planned phase-out of hydrocarbons over the next few years calls for us to consider transitioning to other types of liquid bulk products to ensure the long-term viability of our terminals. We are currently exploring several opportunities, including greener alternative fuels.

Ensure the resilience and continuity of port operations and activities

A port's competitiveness and reputation rest on its ability to ensure the continuity and resilience of its operations.

Specifically, we will:

Proactively participate in transforming Canadian ports

The MPA has long been involved in the process of modernizing the governance of Canada's ports. As we move into a new phase of this process, the MPA will continue to contribute to the process by maintaining an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders.

Become a proactive partner to ensure stable operations

The MPA must increase its area of influence to mitigate the risks associated with labour disputes in the supply chain. Among other measures, a port resilience index will be developed to assess the port's ability to achieve its mission with operational integrity.

Implement a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS)

An organizational resiliency and business continuity strategy is being implemented at the MPA.

Even in the event of disruptions or failures, this system will make it possible to maintain operations while ensuring the protection of employees, clients, partners and suppliers as well as Port assets, the environment and the community.

Optimize channel and water column use

In a context of ever-changing vessel sizes, the MPA must make full use of the water column to remain competitive.

To do so, we will improve our tracking tools and intensify the acquisition of critical data to support Port users in their daily operations so as to maximize the available water column.