MONTREAL, March 17, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Port of Montreal's cruise operations were signalled out yet again by the prestigious magazine Cruise Insight. The port received the Best Turnaround Destination award yesterday, in parallel with the Seatrade Cruise Shipping international convention and trade show in Miami.
This award recognizes cruise destinations around the world that offer disembarking and boarding passengers a superior welcome.
This is the fourth time that the Port of Montreal has won this award (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015) and the eleventh recognition that the magazine has awarded to the Port since 2008. It received the Most Efficient Port Services award in 2013, Most Responsive Port in 2012, Most Efficient Terminal Operator in 2011 and 2012 and Best Turnaround Port Operations in 2008, 2009 and 2011.
"This award confirms Montreal's importance as a destination of choice for cruise passengers while drawing attention to the efforts of our personnel and our Montreal Cruise Committee partners, who are the keys to success in the steady expansion of the cruise market," stated Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority.
Ms. Vachon thanked the shipping companies and all the workers involved in cruise operations in Montreal, without whom the Port of Montreal could not have won this award.
A booming market
Montreal's cruise market has flourished in recent years, and continued growth is projected.
In 2014, the Port of Montreal welcomed 71,044 passengers and crew members, a 2.1% increase. The new cruise season, which starts May 7 and ends October 29, should break records with more than 90,000 passengers and crew members expected.
To enable this continued growth and ensure that cruise lines continue to make Montreal a destination of choice, the Port of Montreal is spearheading an extensive project to restore Alexandra Pier and Iberville Passenger Terminal. We are currently working to complete the financing structure, a pre-commencement condition.
To learn more about the project: http://www.port-montreal.com/en/project-iberville-terminal-community.html
The Montreal Cruise Committee
Supported by Tourism Quebec, the Montreal Cruise Committee comprises the Montreal Port Authority, Tourism Montreal, Aéroports de Montréal, the Old Port of Montreal, the Hotel Association of Greater Montreal, the City of Montreal, Montreal Casino and the Old Montreal Business Development Corporation.
Information on the arrivals and departures of cruise ships is available at : www.port-montreal.com/en/cruise-vessels-schedule.html.
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 1,402,393 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) in 2014, representing 12,575,069 tonnes of cargo. The port also handled 9,246,741 tonnes of liquid bulk, and 8,433,434 tonnes of dry bulk, including 4,075,879 tonnes of grain. The total des volume of goods handled in 2014 amounted to 30,445,984 million tonnes.
The Port of Montreal has its own railway network directly dockside. It is connected to the two national rail networks and a highway system. The port operates a passenger terminal that welcomed 71,044 passengers and crew members in 2014. All other terminals are run by private stevedoring firms.
Port activity supports 16,000 jobs and generates $2.1 billion in economic spin-offs annually
SOURCE Montreal Port Authority
Mélanie Nadeau, Communications Manager, [email protected], T: 514 283-1385, www.port-montreal.com
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