Montreal Port Authority Highlights 2012 Achievements at its Annual Meeting

Reporting at its recently concluded annual meeting, the Montreal Port Authority told stakeholders that 2012 cargo throughput totaled 28.4 million metric tons, down just 0.4 percent from the record 28.5 million tons handled in 2011.

Dry bulk cargo accounted for 6.5 million tons (up 26.5 percent due to a 76 percent surge in grain shipments), liquid bulks for 9.7 million tons (-9.7 percent) and containerized cargo for 12 million tons (-3.5 percent).

The port in 2012 also welcomed a record 69,992 cruise ship passengers and crew members, up 47 percent over the previous year.

The port authority said net earnings jumped 29.2 percent in 2012, to $9.1 million from $7.1 million in 2011, thanks in great part to rigorous control of expenditures. Operating expenses totaled $77.8 million in 2012, down from $83.3 million the previous year.

In 2012, the port authority took an important step to raise its visibility and enhance its presence by adopting the signature "Trading with the World" to accompany the new port logo. It also extended its international marketing network by retaining a commercial representative in Hong Kong. It already has representatives in Europe and the United States. Additionally, the port revamped its image and enhanced its communications with the launch of a reformatted website.

In 2012, the port authority completed its locomotive replacement program by acquiring four GenSet models. This technology reduces fuel consumption by about 50 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent compared to traditional locomotives. To further cut fuel consumption, the port acquired six new hybrid vehicles.

American Association of Port Authorities
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