The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Quebec (CCIQ) and the Greater Lévis Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIGL) have announced their support for a project being proposed by QSL for a container terminal that would handle 250,000 containers annually in the Beauport sector of the Port of Quebec.
In a joint statement on January 27, the two chambers of commerce point out: “The world’s largest cities share one key feature: they are ports. Ports are essential gateways for international trade, making it easier to import goods and export them to world markets. Quebec City is no exception. Its port, with its depth of 15 metres at low tide, and its rail network are major assets for connecting Europe directly to the industrial and agricultural heartland of North America.
“American ports are investing massively in their infrastructure to capture a larger share of world maritime trade. If we want to maintain our competitiveness and avoid our trading partners turning to facilities in the United States, we need to act now to modernise and optimise our port infrastructures.”
The statement continued: “The QSL container project, a private investment, responds precisely to this need by providing a modern, high-performance logistics infrastructure that will help trade flow more smoothly and attract new trading partners. By expanding customs operations at the Port of Quebec, intermodality with the rail and road networks can be optimised to strengthen our supply chain. It will help to position the region as a leading logistics hub, while generating major economic benefits for our businesses and citizens.”
In its conclusion, the statement stresses: “It is essential that economic players, public decision-makers and civil society join forces to make this project a success. We want the public to feel involved and to play their part in bringing it to fruition. Let’s listen, and together, let’s make the QSL container project a lever for sustainable development that will shape the economic future of Quebec and Canada.”
The statement is signed by Frédérik Boisvert, President and CEO of the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Québec (CCIQ), and Marie-Josée Morency, President and CEO of the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie du Grand Lévis (CCIGL).
In July 2024, QSL, whose existing facilities focus on handling bulk products, initiated analysis of a business case for a container terminal to optimize cargo transhipment and improve supply chain reliance.
Three years previously, the federal government gave thumbs down on environmental grounds to the Laurentia project in the same Beaufort industrial area.
QSL underlines project’s green dimension
However, in this connection, QSL affirmed: Not only would the project being considered by QSL not require any encroachment on the St. Lawrence River and not impact aquatic habitat, but it could also reduce land traffic by encouraging intermodal transfer and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“If containerization was necessary 10 years ago, it is now unavoidable,” remarked Robert Bellisle, QSL President and CEO. “Now, we must shape an exemplary project from an environmental point of view, irreproachable in terms of governance, complementary to what is being done on the St. Lawrence and meeting the principles of acceptability for the surrounding communities. QSL could become this partner.”
Before finalizing a detailed business plan, QSL has asked the federal government to favourably respond to its November 2023 request to expand customs operations at the Port of Quebec. The latter has already voiced its support for a project “based on the principles of sustainable development.”
(QSL photo of current Beauport bulk terminal)