Global logistics leader DP World Ltd. is negotiating with the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) to operate the new Contrecœur container terminal, a project that could raise the port’s capacity by more than 50%.

The terminal will be located on the St. Lawrence River, northeast of Montreal, Canada’s second-largest city. The project, with a cost estimated at C$1.6 billion ($1.2 billion), could begin construction as early as September 2025 and is expected to be completed by 2029 or 2030.

DP World Canada CEO Douglas Smith confirmed that discussions are ongoing, describing the process as competitive. A spokesperson for DP World said that while the company sees strong potential for logistics infrastructure in Montreal, no formal announcements have been made.

The Montreal Port Authority also stated that discussions with a private investor are ongoing but declined to reveal the partner until a formal agreement is signed. MPA President Julie Gascon said that the project is crucial for strengthening supply chains in Eastern Canada and diversifying international trade.

The Contrecœur terminal project has been in planning for decades. The MPA purchased the land in the 1980s, and detailed planning has continued for over 12 years. Costs have risen due to inflation and construction delays, but the governments of Canada and Quebec have pledged more than C$500 million to support the project.

Montreal’s port currently handles 2.1 million containers annually, with projections showing full capacity by 2030. The Contrecœur terminal will add 1.15 million containers per year, significantly enhancing the port’s capacity.

The terminal will be integrated with CN Railway, connecting it efficiently to North America’s wider rail network.

If selected, DP World would add Montreal to its existing Canadian operations, which already include terminals in Vancouver, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, and Saint John. Earlier this year, DP World opened a freight forwarding office in Mississauga, Ontario, offering sea and air freight, customs clearance, cargo insurance, and domestic trucking, catering to industries like retail, technology, and automotive.

DP World has strong ties to Quebec through Caisse de Dépot et Placement du Québec (CDPQ). La Caisse owns 45% of DP World’s Canadian subsidiary and has co-invested billions in the company’s global port operations, including a US$5 billion minority stake in DP World’s Dubai assets in 2022 and a US$3.7 billion global ports investment platform in 2016. CDPQ CEO Charles Emond called the project strategic for Quebec.

The MPA has submitted a notice of intent to begin preliminary construction on September 29, 2025, pending final approvals. Once approved, work on the Contrecœur terminal could begin immediately.

Reference: Bloomberg

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