The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal kicked off the return of its in-person events on September 8, by hosting Martin Imbleau, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority, at the Centre Sheraton Montreal. This was Mr. Première’s first public appearance since taking the position in January. The purpose of the event was to discuss the future of the Port of Montreal as it emerges from the crisis and the importance of maritime transport and the logistics sector in driving the relaunch of the city’s economy and its businesses.
“Montréal is an international-calibre economic centre, a university and cultural city, a hockey city, a gastronomical destination, and a major port city. Montréal is all of that in part because it was and remains a port city that is open to the world.”
Three major ideas framed Mr. Imbleau’s presentation: the Port of Montreal’s role as an essential public service, its commitment to decarbonizing the economy, and its role as a symbol of the spirit and ingenuity of the city.
The Port of Montreal: a reflection of the city
Since the Port of Montreal is the largest Canadian port connected to the Atlantic and nearly two million containers transit through it annually, Martin Imbleau began by remarking that it is the heart of a supply chain that includes over 6,000 businesses in the logistics and transportation sectors of Greater Montréal. He added that its expansion is essential for the activities of the city’s businesses and their growth, particularly internationally.
“Our plan is not to accommodate the largest ships – we are not interested in size. Our plan is to offer services suited to our geography and our economy.”
Through its innovative, green, and sustainable initiatives, the Port is beginning its expansion using the main principles that are also guiding Montréal’s relaunch as it emerges from this crisis. Mr. Imbleau pointed to the Port’s efforts to create a greener relaunch and to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations, by accelerating the adoption of electrical equipment and continuing to offer 100% renewable electrical power at the quays.
“The Port of Montreal proudly represents Montréal’s spirit and ingenuity in the vast global industry of maritime transport.”
Martin Imbleau ended his speech by underlining the importance he places on the Port’s cooperation with the community to ensure its success. This is how, he said, we need to approach the profound transformations we are undergoing economically, environmentally, and socially. He took the opportunity of the forum to announce that the Port will launch consultations with the Montréal public and business community to “orient the Port toward an economic, social and environmental objective in 2030, in time for its 200th anniversary.”