The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) is commencing construction on the Ridley Island Export Logistics Project (RIELP), an innovative large-scale logistics project that will provide expanded capacity and capabilities for rail-to-container transloading of multiple export products at the Port of Prince Rupert.
"The investment promises to deliver critical trade infrastructure that will improve supply chain resiliency, strategic market access and enhanced competitiveness for Canadian exports," PRPA said in a statement.
It added that the project will consist of a 108-acre greenfield development on Ridley Island that will commence operation in the third quarter of 2026.
Ray-Mont Logistics will develop and operate facilities that provide transloading service capacity for 400,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) for agricultural, forestry, and plastic resin products.
Ray-Mont currently operates a successful multi-product transload facility on a temporary Ridley Island location that has proven the export transload concept in Prince Rupert.
The project will also include an expansion of the existing Ridley Island Road Rail Utility Corridor that will facilitate unit trains 10,000 feet in length with direct access to the site from the CN network.
The transload facilities will be connected to Fairview Container Terminal by direct private road access, the 5-kilometre Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor, ensuring all product movements will be within PRPA jurisdiction and fully avoid public infrastructure.
PRPA noted that the full electrification of transload facilities, optimization of rail, and the minimal truck drayage cumulatively represent a significant step forward in decarbonizing Canada's export supply chains.
"RIELP will provide new and innovative capacities for Canadian exporters to Asia Pacific markets," the announcement said.
It added that the project's large scale, unit train capabilities, access to available empty containers, and proximity and integration into container terminal operations make it a unique model that promises the ability to deliver significant new service offerings to exporters that will greatly improve the quality, cost and reliability of container supply chains.
The project's development is fully aligned with PRPA's land use plan and intermodal development strategy.
In addition to its commercial advantages, RIELP will result in stronger volumes for loaded export containers moving through the Port of Prince Rupert and a more sustainable balance in its intermodal import and export trade.
Anticipating future container volumes
The development of increased logistics capacity is seen by PRPA as a strategic prerequisite to supporting the stability of existing and future container volumes through Prince Rupert and the trade, employment and economic opportunities they support.
PRPA said total capital investment in RIELP will be approximately US$750 million and is being provided by PRPA, Ray-Mont Logistics, CN, the Government of Canada, and the Government of BC.
Canada's National Transportation Corridor Fund is providing US$64.8 million, and the Province’s Stronger BC program is providing US$25 million toward the project.
At full capacity, the facility will serve 1,200 daily return trips.
"The development of this innovative project and its introduction of large-scale export logistics capabilities at the Port will fundamentally improve competitiveness for Canadian exporters and mark the opening of a new chapter of Prince Rupert's intermodal growth. It also demonstrates the strong alignment of our corporate, government and community partners with PRPA's strategic vision for growing Canadian trade," said Shaun Stevenson, president & CEO of Prince Rupert Port Authority.
Charles Raymon, president & CEO of Ray-Mont Logistics, noted that RIELP will be unique in North America in terms of its ability to simultaneously handle multiple unit trains of varying commodities and significantly decarbonize the logistics chain.
