Quebec Port Authority: Laurentia Agreement Announced

The Quebec Port Authority has announced a long-term commercial agreement with Hutchison Ports and CN (Canadian National Railway) to build and operate the new container terminal, known as project Laurentia (previously Beauport 2020).

According to an official announcement, the $775 million project will be financed primarily through the joint investment of the three partners. The QPA also has ongoing discussions with the federal and provincial governments to complete the financing. The new terminal facility will support hundreds of new jobs at full operations.

Commenting the latest announcement, Eric Ip, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Ports, said: “Quebec City will become Hutchison Ports’ gateway to the East coast of North America. With its fully intermodal deep-water port, its strategic location to reach the Midwest market, and the strong support shown by the local authorities, the Quebec project has all the attributes to be successful in this highly important market.”

The main elements of this project include:

• Extension of the current wharf line by 610 meters;
• Development of an area behind the wharf of 17.5 hectares;
• Connection to road and rail networks;
• Construction of a retaining dike and a breakwater to safeguard port operations and consolidate the beach;
• Consolidation and expansion of the area of the Beauport Bay beach and enhancement of services offered.

The deep-water container terminal project is currently under an environmental assessment process with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.