GREEN LIGHT FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA: PORT OF QUÉBEC OFFICIALLY BECOMES AN INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER PORT
A historic turning point for the Port of Québec, the maritime industry, and Canadian logistics
Québec City, April 24, 2026 — Today, the Port of Québec has reached a decisive milestone in its history. The Government of Canada has officially designated it as an international container port, giving it the tools, status, and structure needed to fully play a strategic role in international container shipping.
This decision places the Port of Québec on the short list of international container ports in Canada, bolstering the national port network and supporting the resilience, fluidity, and performance of supply chains across Québec and Canada. The announcement marks a pivotal moment not only for the Port of Québec’s future, but for the maritime industry and the Canadian economy.
A key factor in this recognition was a certification from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that allows the Port of Québec to offer full customs services and operate as the first port of arrival for international containerized goods.
This designation is a clear recognition by the Government of Canada of the modernization underway at the Port of Québec. It ushers in a decisive new phase of development that will allow the Port to even better contribute to supply chains and maritime trade, to the benefit of the Québec and Canadian economies.
A Landmark Decision for the Canadian Port System
As container flows continue to become more congested, port infrastructures face growing pressure, and supply chains experience repeated disruptions, the Government of Canada is making a major move by expanding the network of international container ports.
Adding the Port of Québec to this network fits within the federal government’s efforts to strengthen the Canadian port system. Those efforts aim to diversify logistical points of entry, improve the flow of trade, and add complementary capacity within the strategic Great Lakes—St. Lawrence corridor, benefitting the provincial and national economies as a whole.
Today, we are announcing a major step in our government’s efforts to diversify trade, become internationally competitive, and eliminate barriers to Canada’s prosperity. As a first port of arrival, the Québec City region will no longer be just another transit point. It will become a strategic hub that will contribute even more to the vitality and economic momentum of Québec City, Québec, and all of Canada.
The designation of the Port of Québec as a primary port of entry is excellent news for the entire Capitale-Nationale region. The Port is a strategic economic driver that supports thousands of jobs and contributes directly to the vitality of our region. By strengthening its role in supply chains, we are consolidating our position as an essential gateway for international trade and creating tangible benefits for local workers and businesses.
This certification will enable the Port of Québec to take full advantage of its status as the last deep-water port on the St. Lawrence River, benefiting the region’s economy and the entire country. Building on the City-Port Vision, which we recently adopted, we will ensure that the development of port activities aligns with the expectations of the citizens of Québec.
Ready to Take on the New Role
The Port of Québec boasts a number of assets for this new role:
- A natural draft of around 15 metres at low tide, making it the last deepwater port on the St. Lawrence
- Full intermodal connectivity with the road and rail networks
- A strategic geographic position for serving the Québec, Canadian, and international markets
The decision announced today reinforces the Port of Québec’s contributions to the current port network, adding complementarity and enhancing performance.
A Concrete Opportunity for the Economy
For companies, particularly those in eastern Québec and central Canada, this announcement could mean access to additional logistics options, more predictable supply chains, and the potential to optimize costs and lead times. It paves the way for more efficient and robust logistics that are better equipped to meet the demands of international trade.
Next Steps
The decision announced today formally recognizes the Port of Québec’s ability to act as an international container port and offer full customs services, in line with its certification as a first port of arrival by the CBSA.
The recognition is also an important milestone for long-time port partner QSL, which in 2024 announced its intent to propose a cargo transshipment project in order to better meet businesses’ and consumers’ needs. In the wake of this decision, the Port of Québec expects the company to file a project notice for a container terminal. That project will be thoroughly and transparently examined through the Port’s Impact Assessment and Mitigation Process (IAMP), which is governed by the legislation in effect.
This process includes:
- Analysis of the project scope and determination of the level of assessment needed
- Public participation mechanisms, including consultations
- Independent assessment of environmental effects
- A formal decision, made public and accompanied by clear conditions
The Port of Québec would like to reassure the public that the project will be thoroughly assessed and held to strict security, environmental, and social acceptability criteria. The Port is committed to progressive, responsible development that remains respectful of communities and its surroundings.
About the Port of Québec
The Port of Québec is strategically located 1100 km from the Atlantic Ocean, close to the Great Lakes market. It is the last deepwater port in the St. Lawrence corridor, with a depth of 15 metres. This unique position allows Canadian companies to achieve significant economies of scale in both import and export trade.
With links to more than 40 partner countries, the Port of Québec and its employees handle an average of over 26 million tonnes of goods every year, representing a commercial value of over $15 billion.
The Port is also recognized as the leading cruise port on the St. Lawrence; along with all its partners in Québec’s maritime industry, it contributes to $2 billion in economic spin-offs while supporting some 12,000 jobs nationwide.
The Québec Port Authority (QPA) is ranked 4th out of the 17 Canadian port authorities in terms of revenue. While it is economically powerful, it is also known for its contributions to the area’s urban and social fabric thanks to port spaces like the Agora, the Baie de Beauport, the Oasis, La Cale, the Discoglace, and the Village Nordik.
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Source and Information
Frédéric Lagacé
Director, Public Relations and communications
418 929‑5031 | [email protected]