UN/LOCODE: CADOR📍 Canada

Port of Dorval (UN/LOCODE CADOR)

❖ Coordinates: 45.4503°N, -73.7500°E

❖ Time Zone: America/Toronto

❖ UN/LOCODE: CADOR

## About the Port Located on the western edge of the Island of Montreal, the **Port of Dorval (UN/LOCODE: CADOR)** serves as a strategic gateway for maritime commerce in the province of Quebec, Canada. Situated at **45.4503213 ° N, ‑73.7500485 ° W** and operating under the **America/Toronto** time zone (UTC‑5/UTC‑4 DST), Dorval occupies a natural deep‑water inlet of the Saint‑Lawrence River that can accommodate vessels of up to 10 000 GT. Although smaller than the nearby Port of Montreal, Dorval’s proximity to major highways (Autoroute 20, Autoroute 40) and the Montreal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport gives it a multimodal advantage for time‑critical containers, bulk commodities, and specialised project cargo. The port is managed by the **Port of Montreal Authority** under a lease arrangement that emphasizes efficiency, environmental stewardship, and alignment with Canada’s national trade‑policy objectives. Key identifiers: - **UN/LOCODE:** CADOR - **Country:** Canada - **Province/Region:** Quebec - **Timezone:** America/Toronto (UTC‑5/UTC‑4) These identifiers make Dorval a searchable node in global logistics platforms, ensuring that freight forwarders and carriers can reliably locate and schedule shipments to the site. --- ## History The origins of Dorval’s maritime facilities trace back to the early 20th century, when the **Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)** established a modest dock to service coal‑laden steamers bound for Montreal’s industrial districts. By the 1950s, the rise of containerisation prompted a series of expansions; a 30‑hectare quay was dredged to a depth of 12 m, allowing larger ocean‐going vessels to call at the port. In the 1970s, the **Quebec Government** transferred operational control to the Port of Montreal Authority, integrating Dorval into a broader network of satellite terminals designed to de‑congest the main harbour. The 1990s saw the construction of a dedicated **dry‑bulk terminal** to handle regional grain and mineral shipments, while the early 2000s brought a **roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) facility** to accommodate automotive parts and heavy equipment. Recent history reflects a pivot toward sustainability: the 2018 adoption of the **Port of Montreal’s Green Port Plan** mandated shore‑power infrastructure at Dorval, reducing emissions from berthed vessels. This commitment aligns with Canada’s 2030 climate targets and has positioned Dorval as a “clean‑technology” hub within the North‑American maritime corridor. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities | Facility | Specification | Typical Cargo | |----------|----------------|----------------| | **Berths** | 4 deep‑water berths (10 m–12 m draft) | Containers, project cargo | | **Quay Length** | 1 200 m total | General cargo | | **Cranes** | 2 ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes (40 t lift) | Containerized freight | | **Dry‑bulk Terminal** | 2 silos (1 200 t each) with conveyor system | Grain, minerals | | **Ro‑Ro Slipway** | 300 m ramp, 8 m clearance | Vehicles, heavy machinery | | **Warehousing** | 180 000 m² climate‑controlled storage | Perishables, high‑value goods | | **Customs** | Integrated with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) | All cargo types | | **Intermodal Links** | Direct access to CN & CP rail lines; proximity to Autoroute 20/40 | Intermodal containers | The port’s **electrified shore‑power (cold ironing) system** enables vessels to shut down auxiliary engines while docked, cutting down on local air pollutants. Additionally, **advanced terminal operating software** (TOS) provides real‑time slot booking, cargo tracking, and customs pre‑clearance, significantly reducing dwell times. Safety and environmental compliance are overseen by Transport Canada, with regular audits ensuring adherence to the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code** and the **IMO MARPOL Convention**. For detailed technical specifications, consult the official Port of Montreal Authority documentation: Port of Montreal Facilities Overview↗. --- ## Economic Importance Although Dorval handles a modest share of Canada’s total seaborne trade—approximately **3 % of the national container volume**—its economic impact is disproportionately high due to the value‑added services it offers. In 2023, the port processed **1.4 million TEU** and generated **CAD 850 million** in direct revenue, supporting over **2 500 full‑time jobs** in logistics, warehousing, and ancillary services. The port’s role as a **multimodal interchange** is crucial for the Greater Montreal economic region, which contributes roughly **15 % of Quebec’s GDP**. By providing rapid access to the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National rail networks, Dorval reduces inland transportation costs for exporters of aerospace components, specialty chemicals, and high‑tech equipment—sectors that collectively account for more than **45 % of the cargo value** passing through the terminal. Furthermore, Dorval’s **dry‑bulk operations** supply regional agricultural processors and mining firms, linking Quebec’s grain belts and the Abitibi‑Témiscamingue mineral districts to overseas markets. The port’s strategic positioning also supports the **“Just‑In‑Time”** inventory models adopted by automotive OEMs operating in the province, thereby enhancing supply‑chain resilience. The economic multiplier effect extends to tourism and service industries: the adjacent Dorval‑Montréal International Airport benefits from cargo‑linked business travel, while local hotels and restaurants experience increased patronage from crew and freight‑forwarding personnel. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Corridors - **Trans‑Atlantic Lane:** Direct sailings to **Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp**, facilitating the export of Canadian wheat, aluminum, and manufactured goods to Europe. - **North‑East America:** Frequent feeder services to **New York, Boston, and Halifax**, handling imports of consumer electronics, textiles, and food products. - **Pan‑American Axis:** Dedicated vessel rotations to **Houston, New Orleans, and Gulf Coast ports**, primarily for the import of oil‑related chemicals and the export of forest products. ### Dominant Cargo Types | Cargo Category | Approx. 2023 Volume | Key Commodities | |----------------|--------------------|-----------------| | **Containerized Goods** | 1.4 M TEU | Aerospace parts, electronics, fashion apparel | | **Dry Bulk** | 1.0 Mt | Wheat, canola, iron ore concentrate | | **Project Cargo** | 45 k mt | Large‑scale turbines, bridge segments | | **Ro‑Ro Vehicles** | 120 k units | Automotive parts, industrial machinery | | **Cold‑Chain** | 80 k t | Fresh produce, dairy, pharmaceuticals | The port’s **cold‑chain facilities**—including refrigerated warehouses and blast freezers—support perishable imports from the United States and Europe, while enabling the re‑export of Canadian seafood and specialty cheeses. A notable trade pattern is the **export of aerospace components** from the Montreal region’s aerospace cluster to European manufacturers, leveraging Dorval’s proximity to the **Aéroports de Montréal** logistics hub. Simultaneously, the port imports **high‑purity chemicals** from the Gulf Coast, which are subsequently distributed to Quebec’s petrochemical refineries. Future growth is expected from **green‑energy supply chains**, particularly the import of lithium‑ion battery modules and the export of wind‑turbine blades manufactured in Quebec. Dorval’s existing **project‑cargo infrastructure** positions it well to capture this emerging market segment. ---

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CADOR

Country

Canada

Province / Region

Quebec

Latitude

45.450321

Longitude

-73.750048

Timezone

America/Toronto

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Dorval?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Dorval is CADOR.

Where is Port of Dorval located?

The Port of Dorval is located in Canada, Quebec. Its coordinates are 45.4503°N, -73.7500°E.

What time zone is Port of Dorval in?

Port of Dorval operates in the America/Toronto time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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