Port of Quebec City announces expansion project supporters

QUEBEC CITY — The investors behind the planned expansion of the Port of Quebec City have announced a coalition of support from over 100 businesses.

The $775-million project is called Laurentia. The port’s deep-water container terminal expansion will be operated by Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) and Canadian National (CN).

Laurentia will open in early 2024 and will provide shippers with improved access to global markets, stated a June 12 release. HPH and CP are partnering with the Port of Quebec on the project. Components will include a wharf with a 16-metre water depth, capacity to accommodate 13,000 TEU container ships and a direct connection to a rail transportation network.

The proponents estimate the project will create 7,000 direct, indirect and spinoff during its construction from 2021 to 2024.

“With Laurentia, the Quebec City region will act as a hub for intelligent intermodal transportation across North America,” commented Quebec Port Authority CEO and president Mario Girard in the statement. “To have already received the support of a hundred import-export companies is further tangible proof of the need for Laurentia in the Quebec City region, but also for our province and our country. The players who are supporting us recognize the major benefits that Laurentia brings to their commercial activities.”