Americold to build first Canadian import-export hub at Port Saint John

Temperature-controlled logistics company Americold Realty Trust is set to develop its first Canadian import-export hub at Port Saint John, marking a significant expansion in the country’s cold storage infrastructure.

The facility will be the first globally to integrate Americold’s warehouse solutions with DP World’s maritime logistics and Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) rail network. Americold plans to invest up to $80 million in the project, which will provide about 22,000 pallet positions and create up to 100 jobs by 2029.

“Developing a state-of-the-art facility in Port Saint John marks an exciting step forward for Americold,” CEO George Chappelle said. “We are confident the opportunity to bring world-class cold storage and value-added services to the Port – and to enhance food flows primarily between Central and Eastern Canada and Europe, South America and the APAC region – represents an attractive path to long-term value creation.”

CPKC president and CEO Keith Creel said the project expands the company’s cold chain network. “Our growing collaboration with Americold, which started in Kansas City and is developing in both Canada and Mexico, continues to bring new supply chain solutions,” he said.

New Brunswick’s Opportunities NB will provide up to $1.01 million in payroll rebates to support the initiative, which is expected to generate up to $37 million in direct provincial GDP.