Improving supply chain resilience
Increasing international trade
QUEBEC
CITY, July 5, 2024 /CNW/ - In a globalized
economy where the transport of goods is of paramount importance and
at a time of climate change where the maritime route is proving to
be the eco-responsible mode, QSL wants the province of Quebec and Quebec
City to be part of the equation and the solution. In this
context, QSL is initiating the analysis of a business case to
address one of the major economic challenges facing the
Quebec region: the establishment
of an efficient, green, resilient, and better-integrated supply
chain.
Concretely, this logistics and transportation across
North America is considering a
redevelopment of its port activities in the Beauport sector to include a more important
container handling vocation in a sequenced project respectful t of
the communities.
Not only would the project being considered by QSL not require
any encroachment on the St. Lawrence River and not impact aquatic
habitat, but it could also reduce land traffic by encouraging
intermodal transfer and significantly reducing GHGs.
First, Quebec has all the
assets to favour intermodality and make supply chains more
efficient: an enviable geographical location, access to a strategic
market of consumers and businesses, the opportunity to regain
significant market share from the American East Coast volumes
destined for the American Midwest, complementarity with
Montreal, a water depth of 15
meters as well as an interconnection with a North American rail and
road network. In addition, QSL believes that the economic
fundamentals behind the establishment of a container terminal as
well as the commercial interest remain, especially after a global
pandemic.
"Currently, 80% of the volume of international trade in goods is
transported by sea and the containerization trend is likely to
increase. We have heard the concerns of the business community
which wants to benefit from short supply chains where processed
products and inputs are brought closer to consumers or end users.
If QSL can become a solution to this economic ecosystem that must
be optimized, we raise our hand and are ready to work with all the
stakeholders who cherish this objective," commented Robert Bellisle, President and Chief Executive
Officer of QSL.
The answer to a need and a solution to an environmental
reality
In its 2024-2029 action plan, the Zone économique
métropolitaine (ZEM) created under the impetus of the
Quebec government and where many
of the region's driving forces sit, devotes an entire chapter to
the issue of supply chains. The need responds to a concern often
expressed by businesses in Eastern and Central Quebec where large manufacturers
struggling from inefficient supply chains . They also have issues
with the economical and environmental impact of having goods arrive
from overseas to ports of the United States East Coast whose final
destination is the Quebec
market.
Although bulk cargo still accounts for the largest share of
maritime trade, containerized goods have the fastest rate of growth
in North America. By itself,
global container traffic is expected to double by 2030 compared to
2018.
"If containerization was necessary 10 years ago, it is now
unavoidable. Now, we must shape an exemplary project from an
environmental point of view, irreproachable in terms of governance,
complementary to what is being done on the St. Lawrence and meeting the principles of
acceptability for the surrounding communities. QSL could become
this partner," added Mr. Bellisle.
Next Steps
Before finalizing its reflection and filing a project notice
with the Port of Quebec, QSL is
asking the federal government to favourably respond to its
November 2023 request to expand
customs operations at the Port of Quebec. If this condition is met, QSL will
then be able to finalize a detailed business plan that it will
submit to senior governments.
"We are pleased that an established Quebec company like QSL wants to participate
in the search for a solution to increase the efficiency and
resilience of the Quebec logistics
chain in terms of cargo transshipment, while being complementary to
current activities on the St.
Lawrence, in particular in Montreal and Trois-Rivières. We believe that a
containerized cargo project could not only meet the economic
challenges of Quebec City and the
province of Quebec but also
respect the fundamental principles of our Vision 2035, which places
a high priority on respect for the environment and the community.
We would like to emphasize our satisfaction with QSL's desire to
develop a project that will be based on the principles of
sustainable development compatible with our environmental and
social ambitions," concluded the Chief Executive Officer of the
Port of Quebec, Mr. Mario Girard.
About QSL
A key supply chain player with its head office in Quebec City, QSL develops tailor-made
solutions to offer innovative handling methods while paying
particular attention to goods and contributing to the well-being of
the communities in which it operates. Its socio-economic footprint
is impressive with over 2,000 employees and activities deployed in
66 port terminals across Canada
and the United States. It is
ranked among Canada's Best Managed
Companies and all its port terminals are Green Marine certified. In
2021, QSL became the first maritime company in Canada to join the United Nations Global
Compact. www.qsl.com
SOURCE QSL