Montreal — The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) and Canadian National Railway (CN) announced that they have reached an agreement to integrate rail transport at the MPA’s new container terminal in Contrecœur. This initiative will help maximize the terminal’s efficiency and ensure a competitive commercial offering.

Along with a private partner that will be retained to develop and operate the terminal, the parties will define the technical aspects of the project’s intermodal service. The agreement will lead to stronger market positioning of the new terminal with port users and give companies greater access to key markets in the North American industrial heartland, particularly those in Ontario and the U.S. Midwest.

“The Contrecœur container terminal is a strategic project for Quebec’s economic development, which will make it possible for local businesses to be more resilient and keep growing. This partnership with CN will ensure optimal integration of rail-related intermodality for strategic, competitive and enhanced access to key markets such as Ontario and the U.S. Midwest, to the benefit of Port of Montreal user companies and the ultimate client, the consumer,” said Martin Imbleau, President and Chief Executive Officer of the MPA.

The CN rail line is already in place in the area covered by the Port of Montreal’s expansion in Contrecœur. In addition to establishing an efficient intermodal service, the partnership aims to ensure close cooperation between CN, the MPA and the private partner that will be selected to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the future terminal, following a procurement process led by the MPA.

“We are pleased to partner on this agreement. Teaming up with the Montreal Port Authority and future partners allows us to design an efficient rail served terminal to provide customers with a high quality, consistent and safe intermodal service on our network. This will help support our long term, sustainable growth.” said Tracy Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer of CN.

Please note that the Port of Montreal’s facilities are already served by railway services, including CN, which is connected to the MPA’s facilities. Railway services connected to the Port of Montreal provide daily service to major domestic markets in Canada and to the U.S. Midwest and Northeast.

(MPA artist rendering image of Contrecoeur project)