Cargo traffic at the Port of Trois-Rivières remained stable in 2023, with 4.2 million metric tonnes (MMT) of goods transiting through the Port, compared with 4.3 million tonnes in 2022. The breakdown of traffic was also stable, with 3.6 MMT for dry bulk, 243,000 MT for liquid bulk and 376,000 MT for general cargo.
“This stability is far from being a sign of stagnation for our port community! In fact, our cargo handlers – G3 Canada, Groupe Somavrac, Logistec and QSL; our longshoremen and all Port workers; our customers and numerous collaborators, as well as the Port Authority team, have all contributed to the achievement of this result, which is once again exceptional,” pointed out Gaétan Boivin, President and CEO of the Port of Trois-Rivières.
He added that the Port of Trois-Rivières is now at full capacity, which explains the stable tonnages of recent years. “This is why we’re actively working, in collaboration with our users, on projects that will not only increase our capacity, but also our productivity, while promoting sustainable development,” said Mr. Boivin.
On Course for 2030
The past year has seen progress in a number of areas of the On Course for 2030 strategic plan. Notably, in the environmental field, the Port has joined the Government of Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge, through which voluntarily registered companies develop and implement credible and effective transition plans so that their facilities and activities produce zero emissions by 2050. This was done in collaboration with the ports of Montreal and Quebec, and collectively they are joining forces to accelerate the decarbonization of the maritime industry along the St. Lawrence maritime corridor.
With regard to the modernization of port facilities, the Port has continued with the studies and engineering stages that will lead to the reconstruction of Pier 17 and the construction of a new Pier 16. This major project will refurbish the wharf infrastructure and enable the installation of new handling equipment with improved environmental, operational and energy performance.
On the maritime side, more than ten years after jointly hosting their first cruise ship, the Port of Trois-Rivières and IDÉ Trois-Rivières reiterated their commitment to the development of this market. The partners have agreed to target cruise lines whose values are aligned with their own, i.e. those that promote sustainable development, reduce carbon footprints and maximize local spin-offs, in order to achieve their shared vision: Trois-Rivières, a recognized sustainable and innovative stopover on the St. Lawrence River.
In the community relations sector, the Port unveiled two monuments in the park adjacent to its offices, in recognition of a partnership with the Abenaki First Nation. At the same time, the park also became First Nations Park (Parc des Premières Nations). “The history of the Port of Trois-Rivières is intimately linked to the First Nations. Indeed, long before it was officially recognized as a port infrastructure, it was a popular place for trading furs with Indigenous peoples. It is important for us to recognize this history, but also to maintain the link that unites us with the First Nations,” explained Mr. Boivin.
Finally, as a proud member of the Trois-Rivières and Mauricie communities, the Port of Trois-Rivières has made community investments in some forty organizations working in the socio-community, cultural, environmental, educational and economic development fields, supporting them in the realization of their mission.
(Photo from Port of Trois-Rivières)
