CP, port officials meet to discuss business opportunities

Canadian Pacific and senior officials from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the Montreal Port Authority and terminal operators met yesterday to discuss ways to improve and increase business.

Held at CP's head office in Calgary, Alberta, the gathering included port officials as well as representatives of Global Container Terminals Canada, Montreal Gateway Terminals Partnership, DP World Canada, Logistec Corp. and Fraser Surrey Docks, according to a CP press release.

CP officials noted that in February the Class I made significant changes to its international intermodal bench including the appointment of Jonathan Wahba as vice president sales and marketing, intermodal and grain.

"Yesterday's meeting . . . is a crucial step in CP enhancing these important partnerships to sell our fastest service in the largest corridors from Vancouver and Montreal, to continue to improve our performance in other lanes and to grow our businesses together," said Wahba. "CP's international intermodal team is the strongest and most focused it has ever been."

By leveraging competitive advantages and adding Trip Plan to its service offering, CP's customers receive the fastest service from Vancouver to Chicago and Minneapolis, CP officials said. The railroad continues to work on decreasing transit times in other major corridors.

"Looking ahead to the future of trade through the Port of Vancouver, we regularly consider how best to balance Canada's trade demands with the need to protect the environment and maintain the quality of life of our neighbors," said Peter Xotta, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's VP of planning and operations. "We had the opportunity to sit down with our supply-chain partners to discuss how we can most effectively work together to achieve our common goals and chart a course toward a sustainable future."

CP has been operating in the Montreal area for more than 135 years and operated at the Port of Montreal when it opened 50 years ago. The Port of Montreal has the shortest direct route from Europe and the Mediterranean to North America and is the closest international container port to North America's industrial heartland.

Added Montreal Port Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Sylvie Vachon: "We are confident that the recent changes announced by CP and their international intermodal team, coupled with their improved services, will enable the port of Montreal to maintain its status as the premier intermodal port of North America, and together experience many more successes going forward."