Port of Belledune adding bulk conveyors in new upgrade project

The federal government is putting up to $12.5 million into an infrastructure project at the Port of Belledune in new brunswick.

The $25 million project will create a dry bulk conveyor loop between two terminals that will facilitate reloading and transhipments at the port. The federal funding comes from the National Trade Corridors Fund. Private sector investors will put up another $6 million, while the port and province of New Brunswick will provide $6 to $7 million.

With this funding, the Port will install fixed conveyors linking the deep-water terminal to the staging area, renovate existing storage, and build a new warehouse and transfer tower. The conveyors will allow the port to stop unloading bulk products to trucks to move them ashore.

The project will increase the amount of bulk cargo the Port of Belledune can handle and make it easier to move goods like forest products, minerals, and petroleum between vessels and other modes of transportation.

Transport minister Omar Alghabra said the project will allow the port to maximize transhipment opportunities to the Great Lakes and the American Midwest, as well as from international ports.

“We are excited to work with public and private partners to invest in modern infrastructure that enables us to double our cargo capacity while reducing our carbon footprint and greening our operations,” said Denis Caron, CEO of the Port of Belledune.

“This new conveyor system is a game-changer for Port operations, allowing us to move cargo more quickly and efficiently. With this project and others, we are anticipating the needs brought on by climate change while transitioning to sustainable solutions for our business and operations.”

QSL International operates a terminal at the port and is one of the private investors in the project. President and CEO Robert Bellisle said the project will help reduce GHG emissions at the port and advance its goal of becoming a green energy hub.

Caron said in an interview that the work will be completed in about two years.