Friday, February 13, 2026
The Société du parc industriel et portuaire de Bécancour (SPIPB) announced the launch of construction for the Horizon Bécancour port modernization project, a milestone for the development of the Port of Bécancour.
To this end, SPIPB has selected the team that will carry out this major project, for which the contract award represents a total investment of $328 million. Following a rigorous selection process, SPIPB chose CIMA+ and Hamel Construction to bring the project to fruition.
“The Horizon Bécancour project marks a major turning point for the development of the Port. By launching construction and adopting the IPD collaborative model, SPIPB is choosing innovation, transparency, and long-term performance. The selection of CIMA+ and Hamel Construction reflects our desire to surround ourselves with partners who possess both recognized technical expertise and strong collaborative capabilities,” said Donald Olivier, president and CEO of SPIPB.
For the implementation of this significant project, the Corporation has chosen to adopt an innovative approach in Quebec: the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) collaborative model.
This method is based on close collaboration among partners from the earliest stages of the project and aims to optimize overall performance, transparency, risk-sharing, and the creation of long-term value. Following the adoption of Bill 62—An Act mainly to diversify the acquisition strategies of public bodies and provide them with greater agility in carrying out infrastructure projects—SPIPB becomes one of the first public organizations in Quebec to use this approach.
To ensure optimal implementation of the collaborative model, the Corporation engaged recognized experts. The firms Sarrazin+Plourde and Turner & Townsend, as well as Professor Gabriel Jobidon of the École de technologie supérieure (ETS), a specialist in public contracts, supported SPIPB in establishing the foundations of the process.
The selection stages involved analyzing proposals from several bidding teams composed of engineering firms and general contractors. Since this approach is based on selecting a team, workshops and interviews were conducted to assess their capabilities, particularly in terms of collaboration, expertise, and ability to work in an integrated model. The objective of the selection process was to evaluate teams on their overall project delivery strategies, their ability to collaborate, and their capacity to deliver a project achieving the best value for the Corporation.
“I am extremely proud of the innovative selection process carried out by SPIPB and delighted to see the enthusiastic response from the market, which demonstrates real maturity and a strong openness to embracing new delivery models,” said Laurence Trépanier, senior director of the SPIPB Project Office.
Announced in November 2024, the Horizon Bécancour project benefits from financial support from the governments of Quebec and Canada and will run through 2029. It notably includes the construction of Wharf B6, a key component that will allow six vessels to be docked simultaneously at the Port of Bécancour. Wharves B1 and B2 will also be extended by approximately 40 meters, and the port area will be reconfigured to integrate new storage spaces.
“Having the opportunity to contribute to the delivery of a major port project under the IPD model demonstrates the importance of collaboration at CIMA+; it is also an opportunity to highlight our expertise and know-how. This collaborative approach brings together expertise from the earliest stages, fostering the implementation of innovative, sustainable solutions tailored to the project’s context,” saod François Paradis, partner and senior director at CIMA+.
“Hamel Construction is proud to contribute to the Horizon Bécancour project. It is an opportunity to showcase our expertise in an innovative project delivered using a collaborative approach that is still new in Quebec. Collaboration, transparency, and rigor in health and safety—at the core of our values—will guide every step. As a local company rooted in the region, we wish to work closely with community partners and promote positive benefits for the community. We will do everything in our power to deliver a project we can all be proud of,” said Pierre Hamel, president and CEO of Hamel Construction.
Featured image: (SPIPB)
