The Port of Prince Rupert, one of Canada’s largest and most important strategic ports, has started constructing a capacity-increase project. The port, located in British Columbia, seeks to increase capacity and promote export logistics on a wider scale. As Canada’s third-busiest port, the port already handles many exports from Canada to Asia and the expansion would increase this activity.
The new facility is known as the Ridley Island Export Logistics Project.
The Ridley Island Export Logistics Project, as it is currently known by, will allow more intermodal logistics for exports by making it easier than ever to transfer cargo from trains to shipping containers. Capacity for loaded export containers will also increase.
One major goal is simplicity.
Simplicity is sought from the project. Right now, the process for converting cargo moved by train into shipping containers is difficult and takes longer as the facility is not specifically equipped for it.
Another goal is reduced environmental footprint.
By simplifying the process of transferring train cargo into shipping containers, fewer modes of transportation are needed, which should reduce the Port of Prince Rupert’s carbon and environmental footprint.
The expected launch date of the new Ridley Island facility is in Q3 2026.
In Q3 2026, the new facility should be completed and in operation. Approximately $550 million U.S. dollars ($750 million Canadian dollars) will be poured into the project and additional grants are possible to get the project to the finish line sooner.
The Ridley Island facility will be operated and built by Ray-Mont Logistics, which has handled projects of a similar scale in the past. The new facility will be able to handle 400,000 TEUs and serve many key industries. Part of the project will see the Ridley Island Road Rail Utility Corridor expanded to allow freight trains nearly two miles long to use the site.
