Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Port Saint John, alongside government and private-sector partners, cut the ribbon on the $247 million West Side Modernization Project.
The $247 million project was delivered through a three-way public-private partnership with the Government of Canada, Province of New Brunswick, the Port and $75 million in terminal investments made by DP World.
“Our vision to transform Port Saint John’s container terminal was built on strong public partnerships and the belief that world-class private sector partners would follow. The unwavering commitment and significant investments from partners like DP World have made that vision a reality, setting a new standard for collaboration at our Port,” said Craig Bell Estabrooks, president and CEO of Port Saint John.
The award-winning project, completed in December 2025, has driven the revitalization of the Port’s container sector through transformational infrastructure investments both on land and in-harbour. The west side container terminal, operated by DP World, now boasts an additional berth, a deepened and widened channel, a significantly increased laydown area, and enhanced intermodal capabilities. As a result, the Port’s on-dock container throughput capacity has more than quadrupled to over 800,000 TEUs.
“This milestone is a testament to what we can achieve when we invest in our people and our economy. The West Side Modernization Project is driving economic growth, creating hundreds of good paying jobs for New Brunswickers, and positioning our province as a key player and gateway in Canada’s supply chain. By supporting projects like this, we are building stronger communities and securing a brighter future for generations to come,” said Susan Holt, Premier of New Brunswick.
“I am proud to have helped deliver this historic funding for Port Saint John, one of the fastest-growing ports in the country. Our new government’s first federal budget builds on this by investing $5 billion in the new Trade Diversification Corridors Fund. As announced in November, this Fund will invest in projects like the proposed Saint John Trade Corridor project and others across the country to expand Canada’s reach and help double our overseas exports within a decade, unlocking $300 billion in new opportunities for our workers and businesses,” said Wayne Long, MP for Saint John–Kennebecasis.
This project delivers critical upgrades that enhance terminal capacity, improve cargo-handling efficiency, and support the port’s ability to accommodate larger vessels and rising container volumes. The modernization and enhanced investments have increased container terminal capacity from 150,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 1 million TEUs annually.
“The completion of the West Side Modernization Project is a significant achievement for Port Saint John and an important milestone in our long-term partnership. DP World’s investments over the past four years have been focused on modernizing terminal operations, expanding capacity, and supporting a growing workforce – all aligned with the port’s vision to build a resilient, globally competitive Atlantic gateway,” said Doug Smith, CEO of DP World in Canada.
Featured image: (Port Saint John)
