Restoration project of Alexandra Pier and Iberville passenger terminal serving cruise ships

MONTREAL, Nov. 7, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - At the symposium held by the Association québécoise des transports (AQTr) on November 6 in Montreal, on the theme "Creating and capturing value in transport infrastructure projects," Marie-Claude Leroux, vice-president, corporate affairs, who oversees property services at the Montreal Port Authority, gave a detailed presentation of the restoration works at Alexandra Pier and the Iberville Passenger Terminal.

These major works require an investment of $78 million. They will make it possible to return the existing infrastructure to the original vocation of the passenger terminal by upgrading its capabilities to better meet the needs of shipping lines and cruise passengers, who are choosing Montreal more and more as a destination. These works will also contribute to better integrating the terminal and pier into the urban fabric. The winning concept aims to provide a meeting point, a bridge between the city and the river and a welcome to cruise passengers on par with Montreal's international reputation.

When the City of Montreal filed its three-year capital works program for 2015-2017 at the end of October, it indicated its support for this project in the form of a $15 million contribution. The Port of Montreal is delighted by this announcement.

In the coming months, the MPA will work on completing the project's financing structure, a pre-commencement condition. In the interest of transparency, an information and public exchange process will also get underway to ensure that this marine project becomes the pride of all. 

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.

To view the MPA's presentation at the AQTr conference (PDF), in French only

SOURCE: Montreal Port Authority

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