Montreal 2010 container traffic up 6.1%

Montreal 2010 container traffic up 6.1%    The Port of Montreal said preliminary data shows container traffic, which accounts for more than half of its total volume, should post a 6.1 percent increase in TEUs.
   The increase is “bringing us very close to the volumes achieved in 2007,' said Sylvie Vachon, president and chief executive officer.
   With liquid bulk traffic reaching the same level handled in 2008 level, and dry bulk approaching the 2007 level, “all traffic combined, the year-end results for 2010 should be up by just over 4 percent This means they are back to within 10 percent of the results for 2008, the year the Port of Montreal posted its best performance of the last 25 years,” the port said.
   The port made the estimate as Vachon presented the Gold-Headed Cane to Capt. Vikram Manchanda, master of the Power, the first oceangoing vessel to enter the Port of Montreal without a stopover in 2011. The port presents the crane each year to highlight the fact that it is open year round to transoceanic vessels.
   Vachon said in 2011 she expects to implement several major projects at the port including:
   ' A new common entry portal for trucks at the east end of the port road.
   ' An increase in capacity of the port's electrical network.
   ' Extension of a pier at the Cast Terminal that will enable two, 270-meter ships to dock at the same time.