MONTREAL, March 18, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Port of Montreal has won an award for its cruise operations from the prestigious Cruise Insight magazine for a fifth consecutive year. This year the Port has taken home the prize for Most Efficient Port Services. The award recognizes the Port's efficient combination of port agency and customs services and its strong working relationship with cruise line operations departments. The Port of Montreal and the Port of Saguenay, which won the award for Best Port Welcome, were the only two St. Lawrence ports to be recognized by Cruise Insight this year.
"This award pays tribute to the efforts of our personnel and all of our partners involved in the Montreal Cruise Committee who have joined forces to ensure that Montreal's cruise business continues to grow," said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority.
Ms. Vachon thanked maritime industry companies and all employees involved in cruise activity for their roles in helping the Port of Montreal win the award.
Supported by Tourism Quebec, the Montreal Cruise Committee comprises the Montreal Port Authority, Tourism Montreal, Aéroports de Montréal (Montreal airports), the City of Montreal, the Hotel Association of Greater Montreal, Montreal Casino, the Old Montreal Business Development Corporation and the Old Port of Montreal.
The Port of Montreal welcomed 48,418 international cruise ship passengers in 2012, for a total of 62,158 passengers and crew members, an increase of 59.9% over the previous year. The 2013 cruise season will begin on May 18 and end on October 23, and passenger numbers should equal if not surpass last year's record.
Information on cruise ship arrivals and departures is available on the Port of Montreal website at www.port-montreal.com.
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 1,375,327 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2012, representing 12,032,966 tonnes of cargo.
The Port also handled 9,075,189 tonnes of liquid bulk, 3,467,394 tonnes of dry bulk and 3,070,054 tonnes of grain in 2012.
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 62,158 passengers and crew members in 2012. 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: MONTREAL PORT AUTHORITY
Yves Gilson
Acting Director of Communications
[email protected]
Tel.: 514-283-7050
Fax: 514-283-0829
www.port-montreal.com
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