Putting sustainable development at the core of its business strategy, the Port of Montreal is constantly striving to position itself among the most environmentally friendly ports in the world.
These efforts were recognized in June by Green Marine, which ranked the MPA in the lead of its report on environmental excellence among the 38-member port authorities. The MPA earned a perfect score in the categories of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, leak prevention, harmonization of uses and environmental leadership, as well as a score of 4/5 for its waste management.
An inventory of GHGs and air contaminants throughout Port territory (Montreal and Contrecœur) was carried out using a tool developed by Transport Canada for ports and licensed by Green Marine for its members. About 10 terminal operators took part in this inventory. The results can be found on our website in the Summary Report of Achievements in Sustainable Development 2018. As for the GHG emission intensity specific to the MPA per tonne of cargo handled, it has been steadily decreasing for the past six years. Since 2007, the benchmark year, it has dropped 45%, down 4% per year on average.
Among its most significant actions of the year, the MPA joined the Greening Leaders Committee of Montreal, created at the initiative of Soverdi and Alliance forêt urbaine to make Montreal a greener city. It plans to plant 2,000 trees over the next five years. in December, it completed planting about 100 trees along its facilities near Cast Terminal and along Notre-Dame Street close to Alphonse D. Roy Street.
In addition, in April the MPA hosted the christening and inauguration of the N/C Mia Desgagnés, the world’s first dual-fuel powered polar class chemical oil tanker. This was an occasion to use the Port of Montreal’s new liquefied natural gas supply system for marine fuel, installed in August 2017 in collaboration with Énergir and Groupe Desgagnés. Such a supply system makes it possible to accommodate new generation vessels using less polluting fuels and to help reduce the marine industry’s environmental impact.
The MPA also supports the City of Contrecœur’s greening efforts. In November, it financially supported the development of trails in Barbe-Denys-De La Trinité Park and, in May, it contributed as a sponsor to the distribution of 350 trees to the residents of Contrecœur.
To learn more: The MPA’s Summary Report of Achievements in Sustainable Development 2018