CAST Container Line

Company History: CAST was a Belgium based logistics company which operated between Montreal and Antwerp. In 1982 it was on the verge of bankruptcy because of a downturn in the world economy, depressed bulk shipping rates and the cost of acquiring three new Korean-built vessels valued at $180 million. It was rescued from bankruptcy by a $200-million package backed by the Bank of Montreal and the Royal Bank.

Brief History: Belgium, a country in Western Europe, is known for medieval towns, Renaissance architecture and as headquarters of the European Union and NATO. The country has distinctive regions including Dutch-speaking Flanders to the north, French-speaking Wallonia to the south and a German-speaking community to the east. The bilingual capital, Brussels, has ornate guildhalls at Grand-Place and elegant art-nouveau buildings.