Prince Rupert begins major port expansion project
The $750-million export logistics project is expected to be completed in 2026.
The project is a partnership between the province, federal government, CN, freight-logistics company Ray-Mont Logisitics and the Port of Prince Rupert. – Port of Prince Rupert
Key Takeaways
- The $750-million project includes building facilities to boost transloading service capacity.
- Construction has begun and is expected to wrap in 2026.
- Officials say the project will significantly decarbonize operations.
The Whole Story:
The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) is starting work construction on a $750-million large scale logistics project to expand capacity.
The Ridley Island Export Logistics Project (RIELP) will boost the capabilities for rail-to-container transloading of multiple export products at the B.C. port.
Port officials say the investment promises to deliver critical trade infrastructure that will improve supply chain resiliency, strategic market access and enhanced competitiveness for Canadian exports.
“The development of this innovative project and its introduction of large-scale export logistics capabilities at the Port will fundamentally improve competitiveness for Canadian exporters, and marks the opening of a new chapter of Prince Rupert intermodal growth,” said Shaun Stevenson, president & CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “It also demonstrates the strong alignment of our corporate, government and community partners with PRPA’s strategic vision for growing Canadian trade,”
Project plans include a 108-acre greenfield development on Ridley Island that will begin operation in Q3 2026. Ray-Mont Logistics will develop and operate facilities that provide transloading service capacity for 400,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) for agricultural, forestry, and plastic resin products. Ray-Mont currently operates a multi-product transload facility on a temporary Ridley Island location.
The project will also include an expansion of the existing Ridley Island Road Rail Utility Corridor that will facilitate unit trains 10,000 feet in length with direct access to the site from the CN network. The transload facilities will be connected to Fairview Container Terminal by direct private road access, the 5-kilometer Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor, ensuring all product movements will be within PRPA jurisdiction and fully avoid public infrastructure.
The port noted that the full electrification of transload facilities, optimization of rail, and the minimal truck drayage cumulatively represent a significant step forward in decarbonizing Canada’s export supply chains.
Port officials added that In addition to its commercial advantages, RIELP will result in stronger volumes for loaded export containers moving through the Port of Prince Rupert and a more sustainable balance in its intermodal import and export trade.
The development of increased logistics capacity is seen by PRPA as a strategic prerequisite to supporting the stability of existing and future container volumes through Prince Rupert, and the trade, employment and economic opportunities they support.
Local Indigenous partners will be active participants in the development and operation of RIELP. The primary contract for Ridley Island site development has been awarded to an Indigenous joint venture arrangement that includes Metlakatla First Nation, Lax Kw’alaams Band, Gitxaała Nation and IDL Projects Inc. Metlakatla and Lax Kw’alaams are also majority owners of Gat Leedm Logistics, which will be a primary service provider of truck drayage services.
Total capital investment in RIELP will be approximately $750 million, and is being provided by PRPA, Ray-Mont Logistics, CN, the Government of Canada, and the B.C. goverment. Canada’s National Transportation Corridor Fund is providing $64.8 million and B.C.’s Stronger BC program is providing $25 million toward the project.
