The Montreal Port Authority has agreed to allow Viterra to lease and operate its grain terminal.
The Montreal terminal is a federally licensed 262,000 tonne facility based in the deepest inland seaport in North America, with direct access to both major rail networks and access to various shipping destinations in Canada, the United States and Europe.
Bob Miller, Viterra’s senior vice-president for grain in North America, said the terminal is an excellent strategic fit within the company’s North American grain handling and marketing operations.
“It’s ideal location enhances our ability to expand Viterra’s origination and merchandising capabilities in both Canada and the U.S. and provides a wide range of logistical options to support efficient movement of high quality ingredients to key domestic and international markets,” he said.
Viterra will take over operation of the terminal July 1, 2011.
Other terminals at the port are run by private stevedoring firms.
The agreement was reached following a selection process led by the port authority and due diligence exercised by Viterra.
Authority president Sylvie Vashon said the agreement with a company specializing in grain will enable the facility to consolidate and increase grain movement and improve service to customers.
Port of Montreal
- the port handles all types of goods, including containerized and non-containerized, liquid and dry bulk
- it is served by six of the 10 largest container-shipping lines in the world
- the port handled 1,331,351 20-foot equivalent units last year, the equivalent of 12,033,434 tonnes of cargo
- it has its own rail network and highway system and its passenger terminal handled 48,180 passengers and crew members last year
- the port supports 18,200 jobs and generates$1.5 billion in economic spin-off annually
