Port of Montreal awarded an Étoile d'Or trophy by Cercle Esteler

MONTREAL, April 30, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Port of Montreal is the proud recipient of an Étoile d'Or trophy, awarded annually by Cercle Esteler - Belgian Business Network in Quebec. The awards ceremony took place in Montreal on April 26 during the ninth edition of the Grand Bal des Étoiles d'Or.

This grand ball event was an opportunity to honour the Belgian and Canadian companies that distinguished themselves in 2013. It is also an annual celebration of the economic and trade relations between Belgium and Quebec.

The Étoile d'Or trophy awarded to the Port of Montreal highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Port of Antwerp in 2013. Under this agreement, the two partners have established four areas of collaborative activity: marketing and business development; business intelligence; asset management; and sustainable, socially responsible development.

"We are delighted with this award. The Port of Montreal's new branding strategy to increase out visibility on the international scene, "Trading with the World," is an integral part of our strategic plan, which includes this MOU," said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority.

The Port of Antwerp is the Port of Montreal's largest trading partner in Europe. More than one in every five containers handled by the Port of Montreal comes from or goes to the Port of Antwerp.

Cercle Esteler - Belgian Business Network in Quebec was created in 2005 to promote and enhance trade between Quebec and Belgium. It organizes various events, seminars and networking opportunities. It has more than 100 active members.

About the Port of Montreal

Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is a major diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods – containerized and non- containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. It is a leading container port served by the largest container shipping lines in the world.

The Port of Montreal handled 1,356,810 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2013, representing 11,896,671 tonnes of cargo. The port also handled 9,549,933 tonnes of liquid bulk, 3,912,531 tonnes of dry bulk and 2,638,159 tonnes of grain in 2013. Total cargo-handling volumes reached 28,156,971 million tonnes in 2013.

The Port of Montreal has its own rail network directly dockside. It is connected to the two national rail networks and a highway system. The port operates a passenger terminal that welcomed 69,966 passengers and crew members in 2013. All other terminals are run by private stevedoring firms.

Port activity supports 18,200 jobs and generates $1.5 billion in economic spin-offs annually.

SOURCE: PORT OF MONTREAL

Sophie Roux, Director of Communications, [email protected], Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], www.port-montreal.com