Port and Terminal Operations Different

Port and Terminal Operations

Different types of ports are discussed starting on page 7 of the textbook. After reviewing the Week 1 course materials, go to the Internet and find a port to use as an example in this assignment.

Describe the port you selected to include the type of port as well as the various services, features, terminal operations, berths, dwell time, etc. that the port offers. Include reasons for your selection. Be clear and concise in your discussion.

You must include a title page, introduction, conclusion, and reference page.

The Port of Montreal: A Closer Look

The Port of Montreal is an important hub for the east coast and central U.S. As well as for most of Canada. This port serves the Great Lakes as well as the eastern seaboard. It can handle all types of cargo and is one of the busiest ports east of the Mississippi River. Because of its inter-modal infrastructure, the Port of Montreal has been able t continue growing even under tough economic times. Its sheer size and scope have given it the unique ability to serve the needs of many different types of consumers as well as transportation firms. This is also interesting because the port is located upriver, and traditionally these locations are geographically critical as they generate high amounts of port congestions (Guy and Alix, 2006). However, the Port of Montreal has been able to mitigate this limitation be successfully implementing a very complex and highly-efficient inter-modal transportation system.

The port's facilities include:

four modern container terminals;

large, open areas for handling dry bulk, including a terminal at Contrecoeur, some 40 kilometres downstream from Montreal;

two multipurpose terminals;

15 transit sheds for non-containerized general cargo and dry bulk;

a grain terminal with storage capacity of 260,000 tonnes;

berths for petroleum products and other liquid bulk;

a railway network with more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) of track serving almost every berth;

a passenger terminal for cruise ships;

cranes with heavy-lift capacities;

Special ramps for roll-on/roll-off cargo.

(Port of Montreal, 2010).

These facilities allow the Port of Montreal to operate a multi-modal system of ports throughout the area. That is to say that the Port of Montreal acts as a hub for nearby shipping lanes, airports, seaports, railroads, and roads that help connect it to the millions of consumers in the surrounding area. These facilities also allow the port to handle four main types of cargo, which include containerized cargo, non-containerized cargo, dry bulk cargo, and liquid bulk.