Terminal Operations: Trois-Rivières, Redwood City

Trois-Rivières: Groupe Somavrac to Operate Port Authority’s Terminal 13

Groupe Somavrac will operate Terminal 13 at the Port of Trois-Rivières pursuant to a long-term agreement with the port authority signed on July 3.

Terminal 13 occupies about 23,500 square meters (or 5.8 acres), and provides outdoor storage suited to a wide variety of commodities. It is served by two vessel berths with berth depths of 11 meters as well as rail, road, and pipeline links. It was restored to service in December 2016 following extensive renovation. The pier is not covered by the agreement with Somavrac.

A user of the Port of Trois-Rivières since 1963, Somavrac offers specialized services in the multimodal handling of bulk goods.

"Terminal 13 will enable Somavrac to better serve its customers," said the group’s president, Marc Paquin. With its versatility and quality of maritime, road and rail access, it is well adapted to the complexity of our customers' supply chains. In addition to this infrastructure, Somavrac offers advanced equipment and expertise recognized throughout the logistics industry. This agreement consolidates a well-established business relationship with the Port of Trois-Rivières since our company was founded in 1963, and we are very proud of this."

Port Authority President Gaétan Boivin said the agreement "strengthens our partnership with a company recognized for its excellence, and the Port of Trois-Rivières has always been able to rely on their quality and competitive logistics services. This agreement allows the Port of Trois-Rivières to continue providing high quality services to its users. The stability of the workforce is also assured with the signing in February of a 9-year collective agreement between the Maritime Employers Association and the Longshoremen's Union".

Redwood City: Port, Cemex Aggregates Reach New 10-Year Deal

Cemex Aggregates has renewed its commitment to the Port of Redwood City for at least another 10 years. The Port Commission on June 28 approved a new 10-year-lease that includes an option to extend the term for an additional 10 years.

Cemex Aggregates uses the 8.2-acre marine terminal to offload high-quality building materials, including sand and aggregates imported from Canada for Silicon Valley and Redwood City construction projects.

Self-discharging bulk carriers operated by Canadian Steamship Lines transport the aggregates to Redwood City from the Orca Quarry on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

During the past three years, Cemex has imported nearly 4.0 million tons through Redwood City. The company also has a cement terminal in Redwood City.

"The high quality of the sand and gravel aggregates from British Columbia combined with the dwindling supply of these materials in Northern California because quarries are unable to expand have triggered and sustained a strong demand that the Port benefitted from," said Port Executive Director Michael Giari.

In Redwood City alone, more than 1,600 new housing units are under construction or have recently been completed. About 1,300 more have been approved or are well through the approval process. That is in addition to 1,158,000 square feet of commercial space, plus a 177-room hotel, all under construction or recently completed.

Under the new lease, Cemex Aggregates will relocate a new and/or upgraded hopper and enclosed conveyor system to the port’s new Wharves 1 and 2 by June 30, 2018.