March 27, 2026

Port of Montreal gains new direct shipping link to Latin America

Derek Clouthier

The Montreal Port Authority says a new container service from CMA CGM will strengthen trade ties between Canada and Latin America while expanding export opportunities for Canadian businesses.

The authority announced the Port of Montreal will be added as a call in CMA CGM’s CAGEMA service rotation as of March 31, creating a direct shipping connection to Latin American markets.

“We are very pleased to welcome CMA CGM’s CAGEMA service in Montreal and thank them for their continued confidence,” said Julie Gascon, president and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority. “The addition of the port of on this service to and from Latin America marks an important step forward. It allows us to diversify our markets, offer more options to our exporters, and strengthen the resilience of our supply chains, while facilitating access to Canadian and international markets thanks to our strategic location.”

The new weekly service will include five vessels — CMA CGM Aristote, CMA CGM Homere, CMA CGM Surabaya, CMA CGM Kailas and CMA CGM Balboa — and connect Montreal to seven ports in the region.

The service will also link through Port Liberty in New York, providing access to additional global routes serving India, Turkey, the Mediterranean, Oceania, Asia and the Middle East.

The port authority says the new connection is expected to boost competitiveness, diversify markets and reduce reliance on U.S. East Coast ports, particularly for imports of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

Latin America currently accounts for about five per cent of the Port of Montreal’s total traffic. In 2025, the port handled 638,000 tonnes of cargo from the region, up 12 per cent from the previous year, including a 36 per cent increase in imports.

“The integration of the Port of Montreal into our CAGEMA service enables us to offer an even more efficient and direct logistics solution between the Canadian market and the rest of the world,” said Adeline Franger Chouraqui, CEO of CMA CGM Americas. “This new service will support trade growth while providing our customers—both exporters and importers—with greater reliability, flexibility and speed. It also reflects our commitment to supporting our partners’ economic development and building more resilient supply chains.”