Four models of the new Terex® Stackace™ empty container handler will follow in the spring. The common feature of all these machines: they combine the strengths of their respective predecessors – and the two legacy Terex brands PPM and Fantuzzi – with many innovations. The machines are cost-effective, service-friendly and ergonomic. They offer low fuel consumption and wear, easy access to maintenance points, and cabs with an ergonomic design.

The new Terex lift trucks help terminal operators facing stiff competition to handle containers even more cost-effectively than before. Klaus Peter Hoffmann, Vice President & Managing Director TPS: “The mixture of competitive operating costs, ease of maintenance and convenience at the man/machine interface makes the new machines efficient overall packages.” Hoffmann continues: “All Terex lift trucks are being developed by international teams. In this way, the combined expertise of TPS is being incorporated into the new machines. The first example of this is the newly launched Liftace 5-31 reach stacker.”

With a wheelbase of 6,200 mm the Liftace 5-31 reach stacker can stack up to five high-cube (9’6”) containers in the first row. In addition to the Liftace-typical 45 t in the first row, the maximum load capacity is 31 t in the second row and 15 t in the third row. The robust design of the new handling machine is demonstrated, by its advanced boom design, among other features. Thanks to improved inherent rigidity and increased radius, it permits more accurate and faster operation.

Longstanding partners, the Port of Montreal and Termont Terminal Inc. signed a long-term lease on March 19, under which the private company Termont Montréal Inc. will invest $42 million in the initial phase of the terminal project. If container growth continues, Termont Montréal Inc. will invest an additional $30 million towards the project’s second phase.

This agreement was announced by the Montreal Port Authority’s President and CEO, Sylvie Vachon, in a speech to the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “I am very pleased by this agreement, which is synonymous with economic growth,” stated Ms. Vachon, “And in turn, it shows that Termont has great confidence in the Port of Montreal. I’m sure this project will be very successful!”

Construction of the new terminal will get underway this summer, and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2016. When fully operational, the new Viau terminal will generate 2,500 direct and indirect jobs, along with $340 million in economic benefits. Its handling capacity will be 600,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), bringing the Port of Montreal’s total container-handling capacity to 2.1 million TEUs.

This project is one of three components of an extensive project to improve the Port of Montreal’s infrastructure. It has received a $43.7 million subsidy from the federal government through the National Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund. Together, the MPA and the federal government will inject $83 million into the new Viau terminal project.

Termont Terminal Inc. is a longstanding partner of the Port of Montreal, as it has been operating the Maisonneuve container terminal since 1987. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) will be a major partner of Termont in the Viau terminal project.

“The Port of Montreal is a strategic gateway for container shipping in North America. The development of this new capacity is not only good for Termont, MSC, and the Port, but also for Montreal, Quebec, and Canada. With its intermodal networks, Montreal is a key
facilitator for international trade,” said Madeleine Paquin, Chair of Termont Terminal Inc., President of Termont Montréal Inc., and President and CEO of Logistec Corporation. “The new Viau Terminal will provide Termont with the additional space it needs to deliver quick turnaround times and efficient cargo handling services to the Port of Montreal’s current and future customers, and thus support MSC as it continues to grow its services through the Port of Montreal.” “MSC’s commitment to the Canadian market along with the strategic growth plans of customers is at core of all of our decisions”, said Mr. Sokat Shaikh, Managing director for MSC Canada. “The continued expansion of our Canadian services, hand in hand with the expansion of our global network is literally second to none. We have learnt from our customers growing needs, that our supply chain network must have stability through land based infrastructure investments. The expansion of Termont (Viau) terminal will further reinforce MSC’s commitment to Canada, and serve our partners in business for years to come. We are simply proud to be a part of Canada’s future.”

1st row (from left to right): Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO, MPA ; Madeleine Paquin, President of the Board, Terminal Termont Inc., President of Termont Montréal Inc., and President and CEO, Logistec Corporation ; Patrick Burgoyne, President and CEO, Ceres Terminals Inc.

2nd row (from letf to right): Marie-Claude Leroux, VP, Corporate Affairs and Secretary, MPA ; Mario Blanchet, Executive VP, Operations, Logistec Corporation

Yesterday morning, the port’s operations team began overseeing the move of three RTGs (rubber-tire gantry cranes) to PMT from Norfolk International Terminals (NIT). One-by-one the RTGs are being loaded onto a barge and floated across the Elizabeth River; the first crane arrived shortly before noon.  The focus is to have two of the RTGs ready for use in the gate operation starting first-thing on Thursday, March 26.

Moreover, the port expects to begin taking delivery of seven new top-loaders early next week. Like the RTGs, the top-loaders will be used in the container operations at PMT. Six of the top-loaders will be placed into service each day at PMT ensuring that an extra unit is always available in the event that one of the machines goes down.

The addition of this equipment will increase the lift capacity at PMT, help build consistency to the container operation there and reduce wait-times for motor carriers. Further, by making greater use of PMT, operations will be able to reduce some of the pressure on the gates at NIT and Virginia International Gateway (VIG).

The move of the RTGs and expected delivery date of the top-loaders were announced by the port last week in Congestion Mitigation Updates #7 and #6, respectively.

At VIG on Friday, March 27, the port will break ground on the rail cargo yard. When completed in June, this project will separate rail and truck cargo and help operations keep the main stacks at the terminal dedicated solely
to truck cargo.