Trois-Rivières, June 16, 2020 – The Trois-Rivières Port Authority (TRPA) held its annual general assembly today, which was an opportunity to highlight the exceptional results of 2019. Over the past year, the Port welcomed 260 vessels, including 25 cruise ships, and set a new handling record of 4.2 million metric tonnes of cargo. “Once again, we owe this record-breaking year to our valued partners – our users, workers and customers. Their commitment makes the Port of Trois-Rivières a facility that stands out,” said Gaétan Boivin, President and CEO. These excellent results have generated a net income of $2.9 million for the TRPA.
A unique context
Due to the pandemic, the TRPA held its meeting online. Moreover, the contribution of Port stakeholders to the maintenance of the Port’s activities since the beginning of this health crisis was mentioned from the outset. “I would like to highlight the resilience and exemplary work demonstrated by the Port’s partners and workers, as well as the employees and directors of our organization. All are working closely together to take the best preventive and protective measures. Our port community is very closely knit and an exceptional situation such as the one we are currently experiencing proves it once again,” said Danielle St-Amand, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors.
While this context affects everyone’s life, it is even more difficult for people in need. The Port of Trois-Rivières has therefore announced a special donation to four organizations located in the first neighbourhoods that offer front-line assistance: COMSEP, Les Artisans de la Paix, Le Havre and Point de rue. A donation was also made to Centraide Mauricie’s emergency and recovery fund, which assists several organizations in Trois-Rivières. “The Port of Trois-Rivières is very present in its community and has been for many years. It goes without saying that we had to make a special gesture in connection with the health crisis we are experiencing. These organizations, which are already under a lot of pressure in normal times, are currently experiencing additional pressure caused by the pandemic while the benefits they normally hold are being compromised. We hope to make a difference by contributing to their mission,” explained Mr. Boivin.
On Course for 2030
2019 was marked by the implementation of several projects from the On Course for 2030 development plan. Two innovation and environmental investment funds were launched. Thanks to these envelopes, $2.5 million, spread over five years, are available to users and clients in order to make the Port more competitive while respecting the environment. This financial assistance is added to the investments that each of the Port’s cargo-handling clients has made, or will make, to optimize their operations and improve their services.
Innovation and the environment are literally at the heart of actions and decision making at the Port of Trois-Rivières. In this sense, and in order to share this culture, a first innovation meeting was held last October. Bringing together various stakeholders from the Port community and invited experts, these events enable the sharing of innovatory trends in the industrial and port sectors, among other things.
The Port has also continued the deployment of the actions as part of their sustainable development plan. For example, environmental conformity audits, in the presence of external experts, have been conducted in order to ensure the quality of the follow-ups.
As an Urban Port, the population was invited last September to participate in an open house organized with the precious collaboration of the Port’s clients and users. The public was able to take advantage of one of the fifty bus tours to visit the Port’s facilities, in addition to meeting the Port’s partners who were on hand to provide information about their organization and answer questions. This open house was without a doubt a unique opportunity to discover the Port and showcase the dynamic port community in Trois-Rivières.
More recently, an important step in the implementation of the Industrial-Port Zone was taken with the agreement reached with Hason Steel Products. The building constructed on the Bellefeuille Street site allows the company to assemble its oversized products for export via the port facilities. Due to the nature of its activities, Hason has customers all over the world. The City of Trois-Rivières and the Port of Trois-Rivières therefore benefit from this important international influence.
70 organizations supported
As a stakeholder in the development and growth of its community, the Port of Trois-Rivières supported, in 2019, 70 non-profit organizations in the areas of culture, health, social development and the environment, as well as in the maritime field, thus ensuring a national and international presence for the organization.
About the Port of Trois-Rivières
As part of the 17 Canadian Port Authorities and active since 1882, the Port of Trois-Rivières offers a wide range of facilities and services to the maritime industry throughout the year. The Port is an important player in regional, national and international economic development for major industrial sectors such as the aluminum industry, forestry and agri-food. The Port of Trois-Rivières accommodates 55,000 trucks, 11,000 railcars and more than 250 merchant and cruise ships annually originating from over 100 different ports in more than 40 countries around the world. It handles over 4 million metric tonnes of traffic and supports more than 2,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs.
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Sara Dubé
Director, Public Affairs and Human Resources Port of Trois-Rivières
Office: 819 378-2887, ext 207
Cell: 819 244-7191