In August, Port Saint John announced it would soon have six container cranes operating along the Saint John waterfront, the most it has ever had in operation at one time. The cranes are just the latest in a series of investments in Saint John made by DP World, the port’s primary terminal operator. Expected to be operational in early 2025, the cranes will be able to reach up to 24 containers wide, offer a maximum lift height of 40.4 metres, and service larger ships. The reach of these new cranes will ensure the Port can handle more cells on its container ships and operate much more quickly and efficiently.
A decade of impressive growth
The new cranes are the latest of many private sector investments made in this year-round ice-free port over the past nine years and can be chalked up to the modernization of the Port’s west side container terminal. Launched in 2015, the Port Saint John West Side Modernization Project has been transformational for the Port, the city of Saint John, and the province of New Brunswick.
Craig Bell Estabrooks, Port President & CEO says the project played a notable role in attracting world-class partners like DP World to the province. “DP World’s investment in the Port has helped us reach the point where we now offer companies market access with three Class I railways – CPKC, CN, and CSX via our shortline partners at NBM,” he says. “The millions spent on infrastructure upgrades will see our capacity rise to 800,000 TEU; we’ve positioned ourselves as a safe, efficient port of choice offering unparalleled optionality.” Indeed, in January 2024 the Port noted that private sector investment since 2016 is in the 100s of millions.
A valuable New Brunswick asset
New Brunswick understands that offering best-in-class infrastructure is crucial for investment attraction and export development. Bell Estabrooks says nearly every provincial government department recognizes the Port’s value and has supported its growth over the past decade. “Whether it’s ONB, PETL, RDC, or other departments, support has been tremendous. This all began with public infrastructure dollars; we wouldn’t be where we are today without it,” he notes. “We’re a textbook example of the effective use of public dollars and giving taxpayers a return on their investment. That initial $247M put into modernization came from the province, the federal government, and the Port Authority. That’s a lot of public money, but it’s led to world-class operators like DP World making huge investments in the region, putting people to work, and driving increased prosperity for the city and the province. We’re importing jobs, economic growth, and a sense of optimism. We say it all the time, as the Port grows, so does the city of Saint John.”
Boasting a diverse cargo base
Anchoring the rapidly growing container sector is a diverse cargo base. As home to the country’s largest oil refinery, liquid bulk remains a reliable mainstay. The growing export of Canadian potash has been a success story at a time when the commodity’s future in the province was uncertain. And, as a marquee port of call on the Canada New England cruise itinerary, Port Saint John welcomes over 150,000 guests and crew to the Bay of Fundy region each year.
“In all sectors, our goal is to facilitate growth and enable the success of our partners,” says Bell Estabrooks. “Whether it’s investing in enhanced infrastructure for our cargo partners or delivering an exceptional tourism experience, we’re aiming to be that growth catalyst for our region.”
Learn more at https://importsj.ca/
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Port Saint John is one of two Canadian Port Authorities in New Brunswick. Learn more about Port of Belledune and its focus on sustainability via its Green Energy Hub here.
