April 27, 2018, Trois-Rivières (Québec) – Canada’s Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, the Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, Mr. Jean D’Amour, the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region, Ms. Julie Boulet, the MNA for Trois-Rivières, Mr. Jean-Denis Girard, Ms. Danielle St-Amand and Mr. Gaétan Boivin, respectively Chair of the Board of Directors and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority (TRPA) and Mr. Rodney Corrigan, Executive Vice-President of Operations, and Mr. Michel Miron, Vice President of Operations at Logistec Corp. today proceeded with the inauguration of the Breakbulk Terminal at the Port of Trois-Rivières.

Construction of Dock 9 was completed last December, thereby finalizing the new Breakbulk Terminal. This new dock was part of the development project which included outdoor storage areas 9, 10 and 11, the construction of warehouse 9 and the upgrading of road and rail access completed during Phase I of the On Course for 2020 modernization plan. The Breakbulk Terminal at the Port of Trois-Rivières required investments totalling $ 27.3 million between 2009 and 2017. The Government of Canada’s contribution totalled $ 7.8 million and $ 6 million for the Government of Quebec, while the TRPA invested $ 10 million along with investments of $ 3.5 million from Port users.

The Breakbulk Terminal includes Piers 9, 10, and 11, with 36,000 square metres of outdoor storage and three warehouses totalling 18,000 square metres. Efficient access is provided both by rail and by road. The terminal will improve competitiveness for shipping on the St. Lawrence and for manufacturing companies in the region. It will increase shipping traffic for a wide variety of products directly related to the activities of regional companies, either as input goods or as export products. The TRPA and Logistec Corp. entered into an agreement in 2017 for the operation of the Terminal. Logistec Inc. is one of the largest port terminal operators in North America. With its headquarters in Montreal, the company operates 58 terminals in 35 ports throughout Canada and the United States.

It should also be noted that the construction of Dock 9 represented the final project in the On Course for 2020modernization plan put forward by the TRPA in 2008. In addition to the development of the Breakbulk Terminal, this plan also included investments in other port terminals, in its road and rail network and in the development of green spaces. It has required a total investment of $ 131.6 million and was completed three years ahead of schedule.

Quick Facts

 The Port of Trois-Rivières handles 3 million metric tonnes of cargo and 90% of this traffic is related to international trade. It accommodates 55,000 trucks, 11,000 railcars and more than 200 merchant ships annually originating from over 125 different ports in more than 40 countries around the world.

As part of the 18 Canadian Port Authorities and active since 1882, the Port of Trois-Rivières offers a wide range of facilities and services to the maritime industry throughout the year.

Generating close to 900 direct jobs, it is an important player in regional, national and international economic development for major industrial sectors such as the construction industry, aluminum, mining, energy and agri-food.

Quotes

“The Port of Trois-Rivières is one of Canada’s strategic ports. The Government of Canada is pleased to have contributed to improvements to the Port’s infrastructure to benefit our export industry.” [Translation]

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport

 “The strength of our economy is largely based on international trade. This is why our Government attaches so much importance to the negotiation of trade agreements such as those with Europe and Pacific countries. These agreements offer exceptional opportunities that our companies cannot fully exploit without having access to quality port facilities that meet their needs. The Port of Trois-Rivières has provided such opportunity and we congratulate them for this achievement, which will stimulate job creation in the region.” [Translation]

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne ,Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice–Champlain

 “The Government of Quebec has made the marine sector a priority. It has implemented the Maritime Strategy in close collaboration with the various industry stakeholders. The result is a strong economic leverage effect for Quebec, and the Port of Trois-Rivières project is a perfect example. By combining the efforts of the two levels of government, the Trois-Rivières Port Authority and the private sector, the results achieved are far more significant than the sum of the contributions of each stakeholder. This is precisely the objective of the Maritime Strategy.” [Translation]

Jean D’Amour, Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region

 “The Government of Quebec is proud to celebrate the accomplishments achieved through exemplary teamwork. The success we are celebrating today is due to the high standards and boldness demonstrated by the Port of Trois-Rivières. This structuring and competitive project for the maritime industry will benefit the entire Mauricie region. Today, we are demonstrating that by joining forces, we are all working towards a common goal: to make the Port of Trois-Rivières a leader in the implementation of the Maritime Strategy.” [Translation]

Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region

 “The industrial fabric of Trois-Rivières includes several businesses that will benefit from the new Breakbulk Terminal. It also supports the implementation of the Industrial Port Zone whose commercialization work is well underway. This infrastructure could not have come at a better time and I am pleased that the Government of Quebec has contributed to its implementation.” [Translation]

Jean-Denis Girard, MNA for Trois-Rivières

 “The Breakbulk Terminal is a great way to complete the On Course for 2020 plan. On behalf of the Port of Trois-Rivières Board of Directors, I would like to thank both levels of government for their support, not only for the development of this Terminal, but for all the projects carried out as part of the On Course for 2020 plan.” [Translation]

Danielle St-Amand, Chair of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority Board of Directors

“This terminal will allow us to improve the competitiveness of businesses in the region and shipping on the St. Lawrence. It is the culmination of many years of work. I thank our partners for their unwavering confidence and support for each of our projects. I would particularly like to highlight the commitment of Logistec as operator of this Terminal.” [Translation]

Gaétan Boivin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority

 “Logistec is proud to operate a large-scale infrastructure as the one put in place by the Port of Trois-Rivières. It is an asset for Logistec and its customers, including many regional companies. It will enable Logistec to provide superior services and thus better contribute to their competitiveness in foreign markets.” [Translation]

Rodney Corrigan, Executive Vice-President of Operations at Logistec Corp.

“The investments made by the Port of Trois-Rivières in their infrastructure, combined with those by Logistec in handling equipment and the training of personnel have made this new Terminal a productive and competitive installation. We look forward to its operation and will spare no effort in providing the highest quality services to Canadian exporters and importers.” [Translation]

Michel Miron, Vice President of Operations at Logistec Corp

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