Partnership between ports in Montreal and France will affect shipping of food products and more

A first-ever five-year Cooperation Agreement between the ports of Marseille Fos and Montreal charts the way forward for a new business partnership and the creation of synergies in several areas, including trade and innovation.  In an area as large as the city of Paris, the Port of Marseille Fos handles the import and export of food products and more; the Port of Montreal is the second largest port in Canada. Their many commonalities include growth of the container sector and related infrastructure projects. This partnership agreement will also strengthen the current trade between the Ports of Marseille Fos and Montreal, as well as the ties forged between the services and partners of both ports.

“Innovation, performance and environmental excellence are the values embodied by the Port of Marseille Fos. On the basis of these three pillars shared with the Port of Montreal, we intend—with the official signing of this partnership agreement—to strengthen the many existing exchanges between our two port authorities. Consolidating our commercial ties, of course, but also sharing our skills and sharing our best practices for better performance. There is no doubt that the Port of Marseille Fos’ multimodal connection offer between Asia, Africa and Europe is an excellent opportunity for North American players to develop their business and investments in the Euro-Mediterranean zone,” said Hervé Martel, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Port of Marseille Fos.

“With trade between the Port of Montreal and Europe in constant growth, including trade with the Port of Marseille Fos, this major agreement is a golden opportunity to strengthen our business ties and build on our common strengths, such as our vision of innovation, our geostrategic locations and our growth in the container sector,” said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority.

The collaborative endeavour between both ports starts now. The MOU between the two parties focuses on six areas of cooperation:

• Trade between the two organizations
• Innovation and the pooling of know-how in this area
• Public affairs by sharing best practices in communication and community relations
• Information technologies by sharing best practices in data exchange and concrete efforts on common issues
• Sustainable development and energy transition to ensure sustainable management of port spaces and better project acceptability
• Strategic growth partnerships

About the Port of Marseille Fos

A major player in international trade, the Port of Marseille Fos accommodates nearly 10,000 ships, handles 79 million tonnes of freight and is responsible for the development of 10,400 hectares in line with an environmental excellence approach. In an area as large as the city of Paris, the Port of Marseille Fos has spaces and infrastructures to accommodate maritime, logistical and industrial activities. It is capable of handling a wide range of activities involving the import and export of all types of goods (hydrocarbons, containers, mineral ores, food products, etc.). The port has large-scale logistics platforms hosting international players who supply the French and European markets. Industrial activities such as oil refining, the steel industry, the chemical industry and ship repair, including “Dry Dock 10”, the third-largest dry dock in the world, also make up the port ecosystem. The Port of Marseille Fos also meets the international standards required for passenger, cruise and ferry activities. The Port of Marseille Fos places environmental excellence at the heart of its strategy. It focuses on sustainable economic growth through responsible and innovative industrial development that promotes the circular economy. It takes action to considerably reduce the impact of maritime activities on air quality through the electrical connection of ships at berth or refuelling with LNG.

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. The only container port in Quebec, it is a destination port served by the largest shipping lines in the world. It is also an intermodal hub with a service offering that is unique in North America, featuring its own rail network directly dockside connected to Canada’s two national rail networks. The MPA also operates a Cruise Terminal and a Port Centre. The MPA factors economic, social and environmental components into its corporate initiatives. This commitment is governed by a sustainable development policy whose guiding principles focus on involvement, cooperation and accountability. Port activity supports 19,000 jobs and generates $2.6 billion in economic benefits annually.

Pictured: Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority, and Hervé Martel, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Port of Marseille Fos. (Photo credit CNW Group/Montreal Port Authority)