Montreal–Adani Partnership Renewed to Expand India–Canada Maritime Trade

Summary

The Montreal Port Authority and Adani Group have renewed their collaboration agreement to develop India–Canada trade, particularly through the Mundra–Montreal corridor. Signed in Mumbai on October 15, the agreement accompanies Montreal’s appointment of an India representative and builds on a commercial relationship established in 2018.

Agreement strengthens commercial engagement

The Montreal–Adani partnership will support joint business promotion, information exchange and cooperation on port operations and road–rail logistics.

Captain Sandeep Mehta signed for Adani Group alongside Marie-Claude Galarneau, Montreal Port Authority’s Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating and Transformation Officer. Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu attended.

The partners will also explore vehicle transportation and exchanges between their teams.

Montreal has appointed Prakash Tulsiani as its India agent to strengthen engagement with shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners.

India ranked as the port’s second-largest market in 2025, accounting for one million tonnes: 60% outbound from Montreal and 40% inbound. The announcement concerns commercial cooperation; it does not establish a new scheduled shipping service.

Cooperation builds on an established relationship

The latest agreement follows several years of engagement between the organisations.

Their initial cooperation arrangement dates to 2018. An earlier renewal, signed on April 22, 2021, extended the relationship for five years and focused on business development, marketing, operational information and technology.

At that stage, India accounted for 8% of container volumes moving through Montreal, measured against 2020 traffic. The port described the market as having grown from a negligible presence a decade earlier.

The 2021 programme included container traceability, intermodal distribution, green energy and measures to ease truck movements around port facilities.

Connections between Mundra and Montreal were then described as operating through Mediterranean transshipment ports. That historical routing should be distinguished from any current carrier schedule, which shippers must assess separately when planning consignments.

Montreal’s cargo base provides a platform for growth

Montreal handled 34.3 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, with containers, liquid bulk and dry bulk contributing to its diversified business.

Container throughput reached 1.52 million TEUs, increasing 3.6%, although containerised cargo weight declined 2.2% to 12.3 million tonnes.

Liquid bulk totalled 13.45 million tonnes, while dry bulk reached 8.57 million tonnes, including 4.3 million tonnes of grain.

The different movements in container units and cargo weight illustrate why trade growth requires more than one measure. Changes in shipment composition can influence tonnage without producing an equivalent change in container activity.

For Indian businesses assessing the gateway, commercial suitability will depend on the commodity, destination, available carrier connections and inland transport requirements.

Expansion accompanies market development

Montreal’s commercial outreach is taking place alongside investment in its infrastructure.

During 2025, the Contrecœur expansion advanced through financing, environmental permissions and development arrangements. Preparatory work was awarded under a C$609-million contract for in-water construction.

The port also completed projects including the Pie-IX rail bridge and quay rehabilitation works.

These investments provide context for its efforts to develop additional overseas business. Infrastructure and market development must progress together: handling capacity creates opportunities, while sustained utilisation depends on shipping services and customer demand.

The practical significance for cargo owners lies in whether investment improves reliability across the complete port and inland journey.

Wider trade negotiations add policy momentum

The port agreement comes as Canada and India pursue a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

At a September meeting in Mumbai, Sidhu and Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal reaffirmed their intention to conclude negotiations by the end of 2026.

Canadian figures put bilateral merchandise trade at C$13.6 billion in 2025. Canadian goods exports to India totalled C$3.9 billion, while imports from India reached C$9.7 billion.

Leading Canadian exports included vegetables, mineral fuels and wood pulp. Imports from India included precious stones and metals, machinery and pharmaceuticals.

These national figures cover trade through all gateways and should be distinguished from Montreal’s port-specific cargo statistics.

Commercial follow-through will determine results

For exporters and logistics providers, closer port cooperation can help identify customers, exchange operational knowledge and improve understanding of gateway options.

Its measurable value will emerge through additional business relationships, dependable transport arrangements and cargo flows.

The renewed partnership gives both organisations a framework for that work, while leaving shipping lines, forwarders and cargo owners to translate commercial opportunities into actual shipments.

FAQs

What does the renewed agreement cover?

Trade development, joint promotion, operational expertise and exploration of vehicle transport opportunities.

When did cooperation begin?

The first agreement was signed in 2018.

Who is Montreal’s new representative in India?

Prakash Tulsiani.

How much India-linked cargo moved through Montreal in 2025?

One million tonnes, comprising 60% outbound and 40% inbound cargo.

Does the agreement launch a direct shipping service?

No new scheduled service was announced.