Construction Moves Into the Marine Phase
The Montreal Port Authority has launched in-water construction at the Contrecœur terminal site. This phase follows preparatory work that began in the fall of 2025.
According to the official Port of Montreal announcement, the first structure will be a stone working jetty providing heavy equipment with access to the future wharf. More than 250,000 tonnes of stone from local quarries have already been delivered.
A crane with a lifting capacity of 300 tonnes will be used during construction. The schedule called for deliveries of steel casing piles to begin on August 17, followed by construction of the quay wall in the fall of 2026.
Marine Contract Is Worth CAD 609 Million
The marine component is being delivered by Contrecoeur Terminal Constructors General Partnership, comprising Pomerleau with a 60% interest and Aecon with 40%.
The design-build contract is valued at CAD 609 million. According to Aecon, the scope includes dredging, dock infrastructure, quay and return walls, and auxiliary works.
Dredging is expected to begin in October 2027. Completion of the marine component is targeted for June 2029, allowing the site to move toward full terminal commissioning.
Capacity Will Rise by Almost 60%
Contrecœur is located approximately 40–45 kilometres downstream from Montreal on the St. Lawrence River. The development will include two berths, a container handling yard, an intermodal rail terminal and a truck gate connected to the road network.
Annual capacity will reach 1.15 million TEU, equivalent to almost 60% of the Port of Montreal’s current container throughput. The official project timeline calls for land-based construction to begin in 2027 and commissioning in 2030.
Global shipping groups are also expanding their involvement in terminal infrastructure elsewhere: MSC recently acquired a 51% stake in Ukraine’s TIS Container Terminal.
Project Cost Could Reach CAD 2.4 Billion
Published estimates of the total investment differ slightly. A recent port briefing put the cost at approximately CAD 2.3 billion, while Transport Canada lists the project at CAD 2.4 billion.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank has provided the Montreal Port Authority with a CAD 1.16 billion loan. Quebec is contributing CAD 130 million, while Transport Canada has allocated CAD 150 million.
According to a Canadian Press report published by CityNews, around 25–30% of the investment still needs to be confirmed. Financing discussions are continuing alongside negotiations with the future terminal operator.
DP World Is Expected to Operate the Terminal for 40 Years
The Montreal Port Authority and DP World Canada signed a joint development agreement for the land-based component in 2025. DP World is expected to develop the container yard, buildings, utilities and rail connection before operating and maintaining the terminal for 40 years.
The final construction and operating contract has not yet been signed. DP World said the agreement would establish the terminal’s final design and the terms governing delivery of the landside infrastructure.
Approximately CAD 36 million is expected to be invested in environmental compensation measures, including aquatic vegetation restoration, protection of copper redhorse habitat and mitigation of impacts on wetlands.
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