THE Canadian port of Montreal has officially launched the first phase of its new container terminal in its Viau sector that has an annual handling capacity of 450,000-TEU and is operated by Termont Montreal Inc. 

The entire Viau project, which includes construction works already carried out as well as a second phase expected to completed in the years to come, will raise the Viau sector's total capacity to 600,000 TEU. Completion of this project will increase the port's total handling capacity to 2.1 million TEU, reported Container Management.

According to the port, the construction of the new terminal is part of a wider port capacity optimisation project, which covers three separate areas: the terminal's container-handling capacity, marine access and road access.

"The port of Montreal must be active on all three fronts to establish the right balance between facilitating traffic and ensuring that activities continue to run smoothly," a statement from port authorities said.

The Government of Canada is contributing with a third of the eligible funding for all three project areas to a maximum of CAD44 million (US$33 million) under the New Building Canada Fund's National Infrastructure Component.

Up to CAD27 million ($20 million) is available for funding the new box terminal, with the remaining funding to be attributed to the project's marine and road access areas.