Operations: Davisville, Montreal, Toronto, Virginia

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Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee joined other dignitaries March 31 in celebrating the first delivery of imported Honda automobiles to the Port of Davisville. CMA CGM is returning one of its container ships to service to the Port of Montreal. The Toronto Port Authority (TPA) on April 8 officially welcomed the first ocean vessel, or "saltie," of 2014 to dock at the Port of Toronto. The Virginia Port Authority’s Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT) is back in business, this time as a staging area for automobiles that will be exported to China.

Davisville Unloads Its First Honda Imports

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee joined other dignitaries March 31 in celebrating the first delivery of imported Honda automobiles to the Port of Davisville.

The new vehicles, which included Honda Fits, were manufactured at a new Honda facility in Celaya, Mexico, loaded at the Port of Veracruz and shipped to Rhode Island aboard the Mitsui O.S.K Lines car carrier M.V. Cosmos Ace. From Davisville, they were transported by truck to dealers.

Davisville received 173,295 auto imports in 1913, its fourth consecutive record year, reaffirming its position as one of North America’s top auto importing ports.

Vehicles arriving at Davisville are processed, finished and distributed nationwide by North Atlantic Distribution, Inc. (NORAD), a long-time tenant of the Quonset Business Park with more than 300 employees.

"By year’s end, approximately 18,000 Hondas will have arrived here and we expect more growth in the years following," said Michael Miranda, NORAD’s president and CEO.

Quonset Business Park, once the site of a U.S. Navy base, is now home to more as well as than 175 companies employing approximately 9,500 individuals in full-time and part-time jobs across several industries. The complex is owned and managed by Quonset Development Corporation, a Rhode Island state agency that is wholly dependent on the port and the port for its operating revenues.

Honda vehicles after discharge at the Port of Davisville.
Photo/Quonset Development Corporation

CMA CGM Vessels Return to the Port of Montreal 

CMA CGM is returning one of its container ships to service to the Port of Montreal. In recent years, the French ocean carrier has shipped containers aboard Maersk Line vessels. The partner carriers have now converted the arrangement into a vessel sharing agreement under which one of the four vessels deployed in the weekly St. Lawrence service between Europe and Montreal will be the Antje Wulff, a 2,700 TEU container ship operated under charter by CMA CGM.

"CMA CGM is a longstanding European partner of the Port of Montreal, which welcomes the world’s leading marine carriers," said Sylvie Vachon, president and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority. "Our business relations are promised a bright future thanks to the new free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union that will promote trade on both sides of the Atlantic."

Antje Wulff is expected at Montreal at the end of April. Other ports of call in the rotation are Halifax, Rotterdam, Bremerhaven and Antwerp.

Toronto Welcomes First Saltie of 2014 Shipping Season

The Toronto Port Authority (TPA) on April 8 officially welcomed the first ocean vessel, or "saltie," of 2014 to dock at the Port of Toronto.

M/V Lubie’s arrival was commemorated during a ceremony in which the ship’s master, Capt. Jacek Kurpiel, was "crowned" by Toronto Harbour Master Angus Armstrong with a nearly 200-year-old silk and beaver top hat and presented with a commemorative briefcase and $100.

"We’re delighted to continue this 153-year-old tradition that officially heralds the opening of the Seaway and the beginning of a successful shipping season for the Port of Toronto," said Mr. Armstrong. "As one of Canada's largest major inland ports with links to road, rail and air transportation, the Port of Toronto continues to be a vital part of this city’s economic infrastructure."

The M/V Lubie sailed into port carrying 19,200 metric tons of raw sugar for the Redpath Sugar refinery in Toronto following a 16-day voyage from Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. The 29,694 dwt Bahamian-flag vessel is owned by Polsteam.

Port of Toronto Harbour Master Angus Armstrong (right) crowns Captain Jacek Kurpiel with a nearly 200-year-old silk and beaver top hat to welcome the M/V Lubie, the port’s first ocean vessel of 2014. The ceremony is an annual event and port tradition dating back to 1861 to mark the commencement of the shipping season.
Photo/Norm Betts for the Toronto Port Authority

Virginia’s Portsmouth Marine Terminal is Back in Business

The Virginia Port Authority’s Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT) is back in business, this time as a staging area for automobiles that will be exported to China. This is the first cargo to transit the marine terminal since it was closed in the winter of 2011.

"The immediate opportunity for PMT and the port is significant," said Port Authority CEO John F. Reinhart. "This is a good first step of providing a ‘proof of concept’ to bring business back to PMT. There is a lot of opportunity at PMT for the right users and this is one."

On March 30, a Norfolk Southern automotive train arrived at the rail carrier’s Carolina Yard in Portsmouth carrying 700 Chrysler SUVs, manufactured near Toledo (OH). The vehicles were driven or transported from the rail yard to PMT by car carrier and vehicle convoy.

The port authority collaborated with Pasha Automotive, Norfolk Southern, Chrysler Group LLC and Siem Car Carriers in the negotiation of a six-month memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Pasha and Virginia International Terminals, LLC. If all goes well, it could be the basis for a longer term agreement, Mr. Reinhart said.

As many as three additional vehicle trains are anticipated. Around April 25, a Siem vessel is scheduled to call PMT and load an estimated 2,500 vehicles. Labor from the International Longshoremen’s Union will drive the export vehicles onto the ship, generating man hours for the union and mirroring the port’s import vehicle operations at the VPA’s Newport News Marine Terminal.

The port authority believes successful trial shipments could quickly generate additional volumes for Chrysler and other equipment manufacturers experiencing increasing volumes during this MOU period.

"Our goal is to provide a very high level of service and give Pasha Automotive reason to consider a long-term agreement," Mr. Reinhart said.

The terms of the MOU are confidential.

Autos awaiting export from Portsmouth Marine Terminal.
Photo/Port of Virginia