PRESS RELEASE
A Legacy of Excellence, A Future of Leadership: Robert Reford Agency Inc. and Ship Services Division of Montship Inc. Join Forces
Montreal — October 1, 2026
We are proud to announce the formal joining of operations between Robert Reford Agency Inc. and Ship Services Division of Montship Inc, uniting Canada’s oldest shipping agency with its largest. This strategic union represents more than a business merger; it is the integration of more than 260 years of maritime heritage.
Our combined forces offer unparalleled coverage from coast to coast, providing international ship owners and vessel operators with the highest level of service backed by an expansive international network and deep-rooted local expertise.
Together, we now form the most complete shipping agency partner in the country, able to support shipowners, charterers and operators across every Canadian port from the Atlantic to the Pacific, by way of the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes.
This joining concerns specifically the shipping agency activities of both companies. Montship and the Trealmont Transport group’s other activities are not affected and continue as usual, with no change for their clients.
For shipping agency clients, this brings only one change: everything becomes simpler, stronger and more reliable. The two names that have shaped Canadian maritime history both remain visible, and the combined agency operations will move forward under the Reford – Montship Shipping Agency banner — a guarantee of continuity and uninterrupted stability. The full operational transition will take place on January 1, 2027.
Experience united like nowhere else in Canada
Founded in Montreal in 1866, Robert Reford is the oldest ship agency in Canada — 160 years of history and five generations of the same family serving the industry. A founding member of the Shipping Federation of Canada in 1903 and on its executive board ever since, Robert Reford has played a leading role in the development of Canadian shipping.
Founded in 1925, Montship built the country’s largest shipping agency — more than 100 years of operational excellence. Its ship services branch is a trusted partner to shipowners, charterers and operators worldwide, recognized for fast vessel turnarounds and rigorous standards.
United, we bring together more than 260 combined years of experience in shipping agency. This collective memory and know-how, passed from one generation to the next, is today the most valuable asset of all — for the benefit of clients. The newly merged company will be led by Jerome Cefai and he will work closely with the existing operational management teams. Mr. Cefai joined Robert Reford Agency as General Manager in 2018 with more than two decades of marine shipping agency leadership experience.
Coast-to-coast geographic coverage
The combined group now brings together one of the most extensive shipping agency networks in the country:
Offices
7
across Canada
Ports served
75+
across Canada
Vessel port calls
3,000+
handled each year
Professionals
50+
dedicated, on the ground
Offices in Halifax, Stephenville, Montreal, Quebec, Hamilton, Kitimat/Prince Rupert and Vancouver.
Four major regions are covered seamlessly: the St. Lawrence, Atlantic Canada, the Great Lakes (Canada and the U.S.) and Western Canada. Whatever the port of arrival or departure, clients now have a single point of contact, present everywhere, able to coordinate every call with the same commitment to quality.
Expanded and integrated ship services expertise
By bringing together their agency teams and skills, Robert Reford and Montship shipping agency branch offer clients one of the most complete capabilities on the market:
- Port agency — handling of all vessel types in every Canadian port: bulk carriers, container ships, multipurpose, tankers, LNG vessels, tugs and barges, private yachts, navy and coast guard vessels.
- Vessel operations — port disbursements, cargo handling, Seaway transit formalities and ice-navigation assistance, arrival/departure reporting to local authorities, etc.
- Ship husbandry — arrangements for crew changes, medical appointments, provisions, bunkering, spare parts, repairs, and more. This integration delivers a single point of contact for consignment, from first contact to departure — with no lost time and no lost information.
A renewed commitment to our clients
This new venture is, above all, good news for our clients. We are uniting two exceptional companies’ legacies to build the strongest, most experienced and best-established shipping agency in Canada. Our clients keep trusted relationships they know, while gaining broader national reach and unmatched depth of service. Together, we are better equipped than ever to meet each of their needs, in every port in the country.
The values that built the reputation of both companies — integrity, quality, teamwork and excellence — remain the foundation of this combined group. Clients will continue to deal with the same dedicated teams, now backed by a larger network and reinforced resources.
What does this mean for you?
- Your contacts stay the same — full continuity of relationships and ongoing files. Your usual contact person will reach out to you shortly to provide more information about the details of this transition.
- Broader national coverage — a single partner for all your ports of call in Canada.
- Deeper expertise — more than two and a half centuries of ship-agency know-how united.
- Everything else unchanged — Montship and Trealmont’s other services (Logistics and liner services) are not affected.
- The stability of a trusted name — the combined agency operations move forward under the Reford – Montship Shipping Agency banner.
Why this partnership matters to you
- Industry leadership with coast-to-coast coverage: We leverage the deepest roots in the business to provide stable, forward-thinking port agency services. Seamless agency representation across all Canadian ports.
- Trusted relationships and active advocacy: Our long-standing trust with service providers, government agencies and port authorities ensures your vessels receive priority care and seamless transit. As active members of key industry associations, we continue to be the voice of our clients in the halls of maritime governance.
- A global network committed to excellence: While our heart is in Canada, our reach is global, representing the world’s premier ship owners and vessel operators with a focus on loyalty and long-term partnership.
- Commitment to the future: We remain dedicated to the values that earned your loyalty: excellence, safety, sustainability, and a proactive contribution to the fluidity of international trade, ensuring that our contributions align with standards of tomorrow.
- Our promise: While our scale has grown, our core values remain unchanged. We remain a people-first organization, fueled by the trust of our customers and the specialized knowledge of our staff. We look forward to continuing our journey with you as your premier partner in Canadian waters, under our strengthened banner. We understand that change brings questions. Our priority is to ensure a smooth transition while maintaining the supportive culture you’ve built. We are stronger together, and we thank you for your continued dedication.
Robert Reford and Montship thank their clients for their loyalty and look forward to opening this new chapter together, in the service of the Canadian maritime industry.
About
Robert Reford — Founded in Montreal in 1866, Robert Reford is the oldest ship agency in Canada. Acting as port and general agents throughout Canadian ports and the U.S. Great Lakes, it is a founding member of the Shipping Federation of Canada (1903) and the Maritime Employers Association.
Montship — Founded in 1925, Montship built the largest ship agency in Canada. This combination concerns its shipping agency branch. Its other activities, under the Trealmont Transport group (Logistics Services and Liner Agency), are not affected and continue as usual.
Media & Client Contact
Reford – Montship Shipping Agency
360 Saint-Jacques Street, Suite 1010
Montreal, Québec H2Y 1R2
Canada
FAQ
Who will be my primary point of contact moving forward?
You should continue to communicate with your current designated agent. If there are any changes to your account management team in the future, you will be notified personally.
Will our service rates or contract terms change?
All existing contracts and agreements remain in full force. Our goal is to provide enhanced value through our combined resources without disrupting your current operations.
How does this merger benefit my vessel operations?
You now have access to a wider network of local experts and stronger leverage with service providers. Our combined 260 years of experience means we can navigate regulatory and logistical hurdles more effectively than ever before.
What is the combined company’s stance on sustainability?
Sustainability is a cornerstone of our joint future. We are consolidating our initiatives to lead the Canadian maritime industry in reducing environmental impact and promoting ethical trade practices.
Will this merger create a monopoly that limits my options in Canadian ports?
Our focus is on service excellence, not market dominance. Canada’s maritime sector is highly competitive; our goal in joining operations is to achieve “economies of intelligence” — using our combined 260 years of data to provide faster turnarounds and better cost-efficiencies for you.
How does this merger affect your “Local and International Network” capabilities?
We are merging our local and global directories and sub-agency partnerships. This means we now have deeper, vetted connections in more jurisdictions, providing a more seamless “end-to-end” experience for vessel operators regardless of where their journey begins.
