Container shipping line MSC, in partnership with stevedoring and container-handling provider Termont Montréal and the Montréal Port Authority, has officially begun construction for the first phase of the new Viau container terminal.
To mark the occasion, a ceremony featuring nearly 100 customers, partners, and stakeholders gathered on June 22, 2015 to see the port’s operations and learn about the development of the facility.
Construction of the Viau Terminal will be completed in two phases, the first of which will create container-handling capacity for an additional 350,000 TEU by the end of 2016.
This redeveloped site will include a full-service berth for container vessels, two post-Panamax cranes, a modern automated truck-marshalling gate, an efficient intermodal service using on-terminal rail operations, and a high-density container yard.
Sokat Shaikh, Managing Director of MSC Canada, said: “Our daily existence has become dependent on globalisation. The majority of what all Canadians buy at any retail point, along with manufacturing within Canada, is traded with countries worldwide.
“MSC’s commitment to simplify Canadian trade, as well as support the strategic growth plans of our customers is at the core of all our decisions. The expansion of Viau will further reinforce MSC’s commitment to Canada, and serve our partners in business for years to come.”
MSC has also recently announced the addition of MOL as a new partner to its 2M alliance with Maersk on one trade route between Asia and the East Coast of South America.
PTI previously reported that MSC was involved in a new campaign to bolster its social media presence, and thereby follow in the footsteps of its 2M partner, Maersk, which has gained massive recognition for its online activity.
The alliance is currently the largest in the world and owns the highest number of stakes in global container terminals.
Fact File: MSC is a privately owned global organisation operating a network of over 480 offices in 150 countries, employing a team of over 24,000 individuals. It has an established fleet of 465 container vessels with an intake capacity of 2.6 million TEU. Its sailing schedules cover 200 routes, calling at 315 ports, allowing us to deliver cargo almost anywhere in the world.