Supply chain difficulties are likely to persist in 2022, but the invasion in Ukraine does not seem to have had any direct impact on the Port of Montreal, for the moment.
Difficult access to containers remains a problem for the shipping industry, says the President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), Martin Imbleau. “It will not be settled in a few months, comments the leader during a press briefing on Monday during the annual meeting. It’s going to be a little longer than that. »
The problem is not a shortage of containers, but the fact that many containers are in the wrong place at the wrong time and their cost has risen sharply, Imbleau said. He points out that the situation remains difficult in certain ports on the west coast where the wait is long for ships.
However, the geopolitical crisis in Ukraine does not seem to have had any direct impact on the Port of Montreal for the moment, according to the big boss of APM. “At the Port of Montreal, we have very little impact because trade with Russia and Ukraine is fairly marginal trade. »
The Russian invasion, however, further complicates the supply chain. “There are a lot of sailors who are Russian and Ukrainian, you have to have a thought for them. Our concern is on the medium and long term and the impact on the circulation of cereals and food commodities for different countries. »
The MPA did not need to turn back a Russian vessel due to Canadian sanctions against Russia. “We didn’t have to. We had an indication, once, of a ship potentially coming to Montreal and which did not surrender. We had no action to take on our side. »
Strained working relationship
The APM meeting took place the day after a public outing by the Syndicat des débardeurs. The union accuses the Maritime Employers Association of dragging out the negotiation process, since nothing forces it to reach an agreement quickly since the federal government passed a special law on April 30, 2021, to force the resumption of activities. at the Port of Montreal.
Asked about union grievances, Mr. Imbleau avoided getting involved in the issue, stressing that the APM was not the employer and was not at the negotiating table. “I have no smarter comment than to say that once again, we are looking for a settlement that is as long-lasting as possible, that will restore credibility and harmony at the Port of Montreal. »
For its part, the Maritime Employers Association said on Sunday that it would not comment.
The last collective agreement for longshore workers at the Port of Montreal expired in December 2018. The special law prohibits the union from calling a new strike, failing which it is liable to fines of $100,000 per day of violation. The employer is also obliged to respect the law, under penalty of the same consequences.
In 2021, APM’s operating revenue remained relatively stable compared to 2020 at $117.7 million, compared to $116.6 million. Net income, for its part, increased by 18% to $16.8 million.
“We are very proud of these results,” said Mr. Imbleau in his speech. Despite the crises and the difficult year we have just had, we have a more than positive record in the management of our assets. »