Building on Port Saint John’s comeback
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- October 26, 2026
Last week’s announcement of $360 million in federal and provincial funding marks the next chapter in Port Saint John’s comeback. These investments will help unlock greater value from our modernization, strengthen the resilience of our port and transportation networks, and support future growth in Saint John and across New Brunswick.
Port Saint John’s comeback has been built through years of hard work, shared ambition, and investment in what this gateway can become.
Governments, private-sector partners, and our waterfront workforce have helped transform that ambition into momentum. Today, we have modern terminals, greater capacity, and stronger transportation connections. We have a growing opportunity to deliver more value for Saint John, New Brunswick, and Canadian trade.
These investments in channel improvements mark the next chapter. It will help us get more from the infrastructure already in place, strengthen the resilience of our gateway, and prepare for future growth.
Unlocking greater value
The West Side Modernization Project expanded our berth, container handling, and rail capabilities. Our annual on-dock container capacity now exceeds 800,000 twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs. Private-sector partners have also invested more than $750 million in equipment and rail upgrades over the past decade.
Together, those investments have strengthened Saint John’s position as a Canadian trade gateway. The next opportunity is to make that infrastructure work even better together. Deepening, widening, and improving the alignment of key harbour channels will strengthen marine access and make our port more efficient and reliable.
The benefits reach across the harbour, supporting the diverse businesses and marine customers that rely on these shared channels, reaching all sectors of Port Saint John including containers, cruise, liquid bulk, and dry bulk.
Strengthening reliability and resilience
Reliability is already a strength of our gateway. This project builds on it.
Saint John is a dynamic harbour, where tides, currents, and channel conditions shape vessel movements. These improvements are designed to make existing operating windows more consistently available and provide greater navigational flexibility.
That matters throughout the transportation network. Each vessel movement connects with terminal crews, rail service, trucking, and businesses moving goods to their customers. Greater predictability and reliability help those connections work efficiently.
It also strengthens resilience. More flexibility in how we serve vessels helps the Port respond to changing conditions and customer needs. That supports the businesses using Saint John today and positions us to accommodate future opportunities.
A regional comeback with national value
Our progress is closely connected to the people and communities around us.
A stronger port supports activity on the waterfront and across transportation, logistics, and local services. It strengthens the connections New Brunswick producers and exporters use to reach customers around the world.
As Canada works to double exports to non-U.S. markets, Saint John can make an important contribution. Businesses need dependable gateways and transportation options as they pursue new customers.
Building on our strengths gives them more opportunity to grow through this corridor. We welcome the federal and provincial government’s investment and its confidence in our region’s future.
It reflects what our partners have recognized throughout this comeback: Saint John has the people, connections, and ambition to play a larger role in Canadian trade.
We have built significant momentum together. This investment will help turn that momentum into greater value, a more resilient gateway, and lasting opportunity for our city, our province and Canada.
By Craig Bell Estabrooks, President and CEO, Port Saint John
Media Contacts:
Patrick Beamish, Port Saint John
About Port Saint John
Port Saint John is a rapidly advancing Port striving to be a catalyst for growth, recognized for community leadership. A critical piece of Canada’s national supply chain, the Port boasts a diverse cargo base and unparalleled optionality via three Class I Railways. By championing innovation, promoting meaningful engagement, and investing in infrastructure, Port Saint John aims to be a safe, efficient port of choice while delivering economic prosperity in New Brunswick and beyond.