Chair and CEO message

Anchored in the future

Last year was marked by many challenges. The Port, like all,  managed to navigate through these issues to deliver its strategic services. In the global context of the COVID-19 pandemic that kept coming in waves, from the disruption of traditional supply chains that caused issues with container availability, higher costs and more delays to natural factors, such as the fires in Western Canada and work stoppages on the docks, our supply chains went through multiple upheavals that were bound to affect our results and our tonnages. 

These occurrences throughout the year shed light on the need to embody two sides of the same coin: agility and resilience. Beyond performance, growth and fluidity, we all became aware of the importance of being able to adapt to circumstances, no matter how they unfold or what they make happen.

The Port of Montreal is adapting, evolving and innovating. Using artificial intelligence, among other things, we have come up with innovative logistics solutions to better serve the public. Our CargO2ai tool proved to be particularly timely and effective in fighting the pandemic by making it possible to speed up the processing of critical goods. 

Despite the storms we had to weather, the Port of Montreal continued to stand out as a cost-effective and resilient solution to the port congestion crisis experienced by many other ports around the world. Moreover, its unique business model as a destination port and its prime geographic location were instrumental in how the MPA helped its partners lessen the impact of logistics crises.

To prepare for the future, we are investing heavily in our infrastructure. Our terminals, docks and railroads are being redeveloped, renovated and optimized to better meet emerging needs. Our intermodal network, Bickerdike Terminal and the Viau overpass are just some of the projects developed to improve the flow of goods, ease traffic, reduce congestion and optimize our services. Each operational gain makes it possible to lighten the supply chain’s footprint. We are making great strides in our major expansion project in Contrecœur, built on the foundations of an exemplary port infrastructure on all levels. This terminal will make it possible for us to actively contribute to the growth of Quebec's business ecosystem. Major milestones were reached in 2021, notably the decision issued by the federal Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and the launch of the call for qualification.

Being anchored in the future also means contributing productively to the energy transition and launching the major initiatives that will enable us to achieve carbon neutrality, starting now. 

It means developing innovative alternatives to traditional fuels and joining a global movement to help make this transition succeed on a global scale.

Looking even further ahead, it means teleporting into 2030 and calling on all our stakeholders, neighbours and citizens to build the port of tomorrow together. That’s how we will get to a port that is efficient, effective and responsible as well as, and above all, a port that listens and can adapt and respond to a constantly changing world.

This annual report shows a port in evolution, a port recovering from a year full of challenges while laying the foundations for its future, in the service of citizens and businesses, to be a leading player in a more sustainable world. Thank you to everyone - partners, clients, administrators, employees and workers - who help move the Port of Montreal in the right direction! 

Have a great read!

 

 

Martin Imbleau
President and Chief Executive Officer

Marie-Claude Boisvert
Chair of the Board of Directors