The Montreal Port Authority and HAROPA Sign an International Cooperation Agreement

MONTREAL, Sept. 7, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - A year after Hervé Martel's visit to Canada, as the President of HAROPA, the Montreal Port Authority and HAROPA have signed an international cooperation agreement on the occasion of the Sister Ports Conferences which took place in Paris, Rouen and Le Havre from September 4^th to September 6^th, 2017.  This agreement comes within a particular framework; the entry into force, on September 21^st of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) aiming to develop and facilitate trade between the European Union and Canada.

The agreement was signed on September 6, 2017 in the lounges of Le Havre City Hall, by Hervé Martel, HAROPA's President and Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority (MPA). The objective is to strengthen and extend cooperation in the various technical, sales and research/innovation sectors of port business and develop the numerous synergies between both organizations.

The MPA and HAROPA indeed have numerous similarities, the first of which being this configuration of ports extending along a corridor.

Three working lines identified

The work will include thematic workshops in Montreal, Le Havre, Rouen or Paris, joint communications, sharing of market intelligence, drawing-up of joint research timetables, stage reports founded upon the exchange and working-out of exemplary practices.

Line 1: Inter-port Governance

Exchanging best practices on models of inter-port alliances. This line will be approached according to various topics among which: 

• Approaches of river resource management;
• Pilotage and dredging works service management; and
• Social acceptability of port projects.

The exchanges and studies can be entrusted to academia and to the partners of both parties in cooperation with the MPA and HAROPA.

Line 2: Sales Promotion

• Organization of joint business events to be held at a frequency determined by both parties, alternately between France and Montreal;
• Relay of information on the respective B2B social media platforms; and
• Exchange of market intelligence and completion of joint research projects according to customers' expectations or both parties' identified trade requirements. For instance and without being exhaustive: modelling of supply chains, targeted market studies by sector, legal framework of Trade between Canada and France.

Line 3: Sharing of Innovation

• Exchange of best practices in drawing up and circulating the performance assessments of the port supply chain;
• Exchange of best practices in managing port fluidity, especially in the field of truck management; and
• Exchanges in terms of corporate strategies in the field of metadata, for instance: artificial intelligence applied to port logistics, blockchain.

"As the leading French port system, HAROPA is very pleased about this agreement with the MPA which is, to-date, our major trade partner in Canada and our 2^nd largest partner on Eastern America," Hervé Martel said.  "Through the experience acquired via about thirty twinning and cooperation agreement we have signed, we know all the synergy which will be set up with Montreal and the benefits for our two ports."

"As per today, about 40% of the goods transiting the Port of Montreal come from or are shipped to Northern Europe. The CETA between Canada and the European Union, which will come into force on September 21^st of this year, will strengthen these trade ties and create a new favorable business environment conducive to growth of our trade and the structuring effects that will result from that in our respective economies. This memorandum of understanding between HAROPA and the MPA has been signed at a significant and historic time", said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the MPA.

About the Port of Montreal

Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the second largest port in Canada and a 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 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. All other terminals are run by private stevedoring firms. Port activity supports 16,000 jobs and generates $2.1 billion in economic benefits annually.

About HAROPA

HAROPA, the 5^th largest port complex in Northern Europe, is a joint venture between the ports of Le Havre, Rouen and Paris. It is connected to every continent owing to a first-rate international shipping offer (linking around 700 ports worldwide). It serves a vast hinterland the center of which is in the Seine valley and the Paris region forming the biggest French consumer market area. With around 10 Normandy and Paris area partner ports, the "one-stop" hub now forms in France a global transport and logistics system, capable of providing a comprehensive end-to-end service. HAROPA handles over 120 million tons of cargo by sea and waterway each year. HAROPA business represents 160,000 jobs. Learn more: www.haropa-solutions.com; www.haropaports.com.

SOURCE Montreal Port Authority

Information: Mélanie Nadeau, Director, Communications, Montreal Port Authority, [email protected], 514 283-1385; Bénédicte Maheut, HAROPA, [email protected], [phone]; Annie Vandôme, HAROPA, [email protected], [phone]