Canada · Industrial projects
How Montréal’s Contrecœur terminal moved into in-water construction
The Port of Montréal began in-water construction for its Contrecœur container terminal in August 2026. Earlier milestones covered fish-habitat approvals, a borrowing limit and repayable financing.
Sources checked
- 11 September 2025Major Projects Office referral
Ottawa referred the project for federal coordination. Source 1
- 9 October 2025Preparatory works begin
The port also awarded the in-water works contract. Source 1
- 16 October 2025Fish habitat offset authorisation
Fisheries and Oceans Canada authorised work to create additional copper redhorse feeding grounds. Source 1
- 5 January 2026Second fisheries authorisation
The approval addressed the effects of in-water works and wharf construction on fish and habitat. Source 1
- 26 February 2026Project borrowing order
An order in council approved provisions for a CAD 1.16 billion borrowing limit, plus interest. Source 2
- 6 April 2026Financing details finalised
The port and Canada Infrastructure Bank settled the financing details before the 9 April announcement. Source 1
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- 14 August 2026In-water construction announced
Work covered the jetty, terminal wharf and related marine infrastructure. Source 1
Preparatory work began in 2025. Construction of marine structures followed in 2026.
The expansion adds capacity to the existing port
Ottawa estimates the new facility will increase the Port of Montréal’s container capacity by about 60%. That is a projected capacity change. The construction timeline records work needed before the terminal can handle commercial traffic. Source 1
Two fisheries authorisations addressed different work
The October authorisation covered an offset plan for the copper redhorse, a fish found in the St. Lawrence system. The January authorisation addressed the effects of marine construction on fish and their habitat. Source 1
A borrowing limit and financing agreement have separate dates
The February order authorised provisions for borrowing up to CAD 1.16 billion plus interest from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The parties finalised financing details in April. The federal profile describes the financing as repayable. Source 2 Source 1
Marine structures and dredging are separate phases
The port’s August update marked the start of work on the jetty, wharf and related structures. The federal profile listed dredging as expected in 2027, after the preparatory work and the start of marine construction. Source 1