Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has qualified three teams for the next phase of its major expansion project in Contrecœur.
Shortlisted teams:
- Axium Infrastructure Canada and Pomerleau Capital
- Ports America Holdings
- Terminal Investment Limited (TIL)
An international Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued last November using a design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) model.
Bidders were required to show experience in the design, construction, and operation of new port infrastructure, as well as in generating new shipping volumes and their engagement with local and regional stakeholders, among other criteria.
All conditions specified in a decision statement issued by the minister of the environment and climate change Canada also must be met.
Five compliant bids were evaluated and short-listed teams will be invited to submit bids in the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase, which will begin in the coming weeks and last approximately 12 months.
An announcement of the successful team is expected in the second quarter of 2023, with financial and commercial closing in the third quarter of 2023 and construction starting within the year. The terminal is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2026.
“The RFQ process confirmed the strong interest in our project locally, nationally and internationally,” said Martin Imbleau president and CEO at the MPA.
“Citizens, consumers and the business community can look forward to yet another milestone towards the successful completion of this green and modern container terminal, especially in a global context where we need more resilient supply chains.”
The expansion will consolidate the Port of Montreal’s role as a driver of development for Quebec and Canada,” said Martin Imbleau, President and Chief Executive Officer of the MPA.
The estimated project cost is $750- to $950 million, and it will generate close to 8,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs during construction.
“The Port of Montréal’s expansion project in Contrecœur will be an important lever of economic development for years to come,” said Guy LeBlanc, President and CEO of Investissement Québec.