Montreal Port Expands Capacity with New contrecoeur Terminal Project
The Port of Montreal is poised for significant growth with the development of a new container terminal in Contrecoeur, approximately 50 miles north of the city on the st. Lawrence River. A recent agreement with DP World Canada marks a key milestone in the project, which has been in planning since the 1980s when the Montreal Port Authority began acquiring land in the area.
This partnership will see DP World Canada take the led on constructing and operating the land-side infrastructure of the new terminal, including the container yard, buildings, utilities, and vital rail connections. A 40-year operating agreement will follow the commencement of land work, anticipated in 2027, after a period of collaborative design finalization with the Port Authority.The expansion is driven by the increasing demands on existing facilities on Montreal Island, which processed nearly 1.5 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in 2024 and are nearing full capacity. The Contrecoeur terminal is designed to handle 1.15 million TEU annually, representing a nearly 60% increase in the Port of Montreal’s overall container handling capabilities.
the terminal will feature two berths alongside dedicated container handling and storage zones. Improvements to regional logistics are also a priority, with integrated road and rail connections planned for the Contrecoeur site. Construction will utilize a hybrid approach, with the Port of Montreal and the Canadian Coast Guard managing the water-side aspects, while DP World focuses on the land-side development.
Site preparation is slated to begin this year, pending final approvals, with in-water work scheduled for 2026.The project is expected to be fully commissioned in 2030. This venture represents DP World Canada’s first investment in the Port of Montreal, adding to its existing portfolio of six canadian port facilities located in Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Fraser surrey, Nanaimo, and Saint John.
