Dubai's DP World has been selected to design, build and operate the land-side components of the Port of Montreal's planned Contrecoeur container terminal, reported Saint Petersburg's PortNews.

The Montreal Port Authority signed a Joint Development Agreement with DP World on September 4, announcing the deal four days later. The hybrid model assigns in-water works to the Port Authority and land-side infrastructure to DP World.

DP World will manage the terminal yard, buildings, utilities and rail connection, and operate the facility for 40 years once land works commence.

The Port Authority aims to add 1.15 million TEU in annual capacity, with service entry targeted for 2030. Site preparation is expected to begin in 2025, followed by in-water works in 2026 and land-side construction in 2027.

The terminal will feature two berths, an intermodal rail yard, truck gate and support infrastructure, and is projected to create around 8,000 construction jobs.

On September 4, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans deemed the Port Authority's permit application for in-water works complete. Environmental offsetting plans include habitat creation, wildlife measures and reforestation of 40,000 trees and shrubs.

Public funding includes up to C$300 million from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, C$150 million (US$108 million) from the National Trade Corridors Fund and C$130 million from Quebec.

Contrecoeur will be DP World's sixth Canadian port, joining Vancouver, Fraser Surrey, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert and Saint John.

DP World is a global container terminal operator with assets on six continents. The Montreal Port Authority runs Eastern Canada's largest container port.