Americold Realty Trust, a global leader in temperature-controlled logistics, real estate and value-added services, has broken ground in Port Saint John, New Brunswick, on its first import-export hub to be built in Canada.

Provincial and local leaders join company executives to celebrate this significant investment in New Brunswick, a ceremony held in conjunction with Port Saint John’s Port Days. The new cold storage facility, to become the sixth operated by Americold in Canada, will leverage the maritime logistics capabilities of DP World and the rail logistics solutions of Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX:CP) (NYSE:CP) (CPKC).

“Developing this facility at Port Saint John marks an important step forward for Americold,” said Rob Chambers, president, Americas at Americold. “The infrastructure investments by DP World and CPKC alongside Port Saint John have attracted major global shipping lines to this location, and we are excited that our world-class cold storage facility and value-added services will support food flows between central and eastern Canada, Europe, South America and APAC."

Americold will invest between $75 and $80 million to develop this import-export hub, providing approximately 22,000 pallet positions – the equivalent of over 800 full truckloads of temperature-sensitive goods. The facility will enhance trade routes between Canada and global markets, increase export capacity, improve import logistics, and support economic growth through strategic partnerships and infrastructure development. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Americold and the opportunities it brings to create jobs on our waterfront,” said Craig Bell Estabrooks, President & CEO of Port Saint John. “Our extensive infrastructure investments have paved the way for leading global partners to thrive in Saint John.”

This build is expected to contribute up to $37 million in direct provincial GDP. Opportunities NB will invest up to $1.01 million in the form of a payroll rebate to assist Americold with the creation of up to 100 jobs by the end of 2029. 

“Americold’s new greenfield facility enhances the Port’s capacity to accommodate growing shipping volumes and strengthens its position as Atlantic Canada’s largest port by volume,” said Luke Randall, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB. “The investment will also improve market access for New Brunswick's exporting companies and create good-paying jobs.”

Americold’s cold chain ecosystem plays an integral role in the food supply chain, connecting production, distribution and consumption for many of the largest food companies in the world. The collaboration between Americold, DP World and CPKC aims to create unique customer value in the cold chain.

“Our growing collaboration with Americold continues to bring new supply chain solutions to the market,” said Keith Creel, president and CEO of CPKC. “This Port Saint John facility builds on the unique ecosystem that CPKC and Americold are creating to provide our customers an unrivaled cold chain across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.”

“Our partnership with Americold and CPKC reflects our shared commitment to transforming supply chain efficiency and sustainability” said Doug Smith, CEO of DP World Canada. “This investment by Americold is a significant milestone in our joint mission to create seamless, end-to-end logistics solutions.”

The Americold facility is slated to open in 2026.

Source: Americold