Port of Québec container terminal clears federal hurdle

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has decided that QSL International’s proposed container terminal at the Port of Québec does not need to be designated for a federal impact assessment under the Impact Assessment Act. The decision, issued on 10 August, concerns plans to redevelop land already operated by QSL in the port’s Beauport sector. The proposed terminal would have a maximum capacity of 200,000 TEUs per year and would use existing wharves, with no expansion into the St. Lawrence River or in-water construction. According to IAAC’s analysis, the terminal would begin with an expected volume of around 40,000 TEUs before gradually increasing towards its maximum annual capacity. Construction is expected to take between 12 and 18 months. Planned works include earthworks and site preparation, new internal roadways and traffic areas, drainage and utility infrastructure, electrical and IT installations, access roads and control systems, and the construction or renovation of buildings. Rail infrastructure would also be integrated in cooperation with Canadian National. Terminal tractors, reach stackers, and switcher locomotives are expected to support container movements once the facility is operational. Existing cranes and gantry cranes would initially be used, although additional or replacement gantry cranes could be considered later, depending on operational requirements. READ: Port of Vancouver opens rare terminal tender in Richmond A request for the project to be designated under the Impact Assessment Act was submitted on 29 April by a coalition of community and environmental organisations. The request raised concerns about air quality and human health associated with road, rail and maritime transport, as well as concerns over the Québec Port Authority carrying out its own environmental effects determination. IAAC President Terence Hubbard concluded that the project could cause potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, but decided against designation because other legislative mechanisms are available to address those effects. The project must still comply with applicable federal legislation. If it proceeds, the Québec Port Authority would be required to make an environmental effects determination under Section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act after receiving a project notice from QSL. IAAC also distinguished the proposal from the previous Laurentia container project, which had a planned capacity of 700,000 TEUs. The latest scheme is smaller, limited to land already occupied by QSL and would not involve new in-water infrastructure or an increase in vessel numbers. The 10 August decision therefore removes the requirement for designation as a federal impact assessment project, but does not constitute final approval for construction. The agency’s registry now records the designation review as completed.