A Canadian Port Authority, the Port of Belledune aims to be the best bulk and breakbulk port in Eastern Canada. President & CEO Denis Caron and Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel Jennifer Cleversey-Moffitt discussed the port’s Green Energy Hub and future plans. Report by Antonia Cole.
The Port of Belledune is committed to supporting the development of the region, President & CEO Denis Caron said: “Our primary focus is the handling of dry and liquid bulk. As we move forward, our objective is to grow our tonnage and volume, but we have to be very innovative and creative in doing so. Our Green Energy Hub is a major factor in shaping our future.”
Established in 1968, the Port of Belledune has grown from a single terminal facility to a state-of-the-art four-terminal port. Over the years, the port has undergone three major expansions, growing its presence in the Canadian economy. However, policy changes have meant the port has had to be flexible and adapt to evolving circumstances, including the green transition.
“We are a gateway through which goods can move across the globe,” added Mr Caron. “As we aim to be the best bulk and breakbulk
port, we hope to drive prosperity at the port and in Northern New Brunswick. Our operations support the local economy and community, providing jobs and opportunities.”
Respecting the land
A key player in Canada’s bulk material handling, the Port of Belledune manages approximately 28 different types of products for both import and export. As the port strives to increase capacity and optimise the handling of materials, it benefits from over 650 hectares of adjacent land available for development. The port has already made a number of investments into the growth of its terminals, ensuring to respect the land it is building upon.
“We were the first port in Canada to have an agreement with First Nations, which goes back to 2018,” explained Mr Caron. “We are committed to building strong, collaborative relationships and advancing projects for the shared benefit of ourselves and First Nations. Working together, we have developed strategies to co-manage the land around the
port, offering economic reconciliation. We are the first in Canada to take this conversation to the next stage and be a true partner with First Nations.”
The Port of Belledune is located on the traditional territory of the Mi’gmaq People. This is why the port is developing a system in which revenue generated on the industrial land is shared with First Nations. By directly involving First Nations in conversations around land use, the port is able to evolve operations and take advantage of opportunities while supporting and respecting the Indigenous People through economic inclusion.
As well as working with the community, the Port of Belledune is dedicated to sustainable development and facilitating positive environmental practices. The port is the largest exporter of wood pellets and wood chips in Eastern Canada. Enabling the transport of this biomass for a clean energy source is helping European countries transition away from fossil fuels.
“There are a number of firms that would like to locate here to produce these pellets,” continued Mr Caron. “With new regulations regarding carbon emissions coming into effect all the time, there is a lot of economic
potential in this sector. Not only are we able to contribute to global decarbonisation, but it is a great opportunity for our port to benefit from.”
Green Energy Hub
As part of the port’s commitment to sustainability, it developed the Green Energy Hub. This is a specialised development district dedicated to green energy projects and low-carbon industries. Through the hub, the Port of Belledune aims to prioritise renewable energy, clean industry and green manufacturing to promote sustainable development in Canada and across the globe.
The Green Energy Hub has attracted several international investors, looking to accelerate the port’s operations. The port is working on two green hydrogen projects with energy industries from Europe and North America.
“We are investigating the benefits of hydrogen, biomass and methanol at our
hub,” commented Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel Jennifer CleverseyMoffitt. “There are many projects already underway that will significantly progress the decarbonisation of the economy. The Green Energy Hub started as a concept, but now we’re working with engineering firms to plan and put it together. We have carried out many studies to guarantee the hub’s success.”
Within the Port of Belledune, almost $40 million has been invested to upgrade two key terminals. This has optimised operations at the port to improve efficiencies, limiting environmental impacts. The port is also exploring a $30 million investment into the
installation of fixed conveyors within the next year. This will reduce the port’s carbon footprint by maximising loading efficiency.
“There are two voluntary initiatives that we belong to: Green Economy New Brunswick and Green Marine,” added Ms Cleversey-Moffitt. “Being a part of these organisations involves evaluating the impact of our operations and making changes to become more sustainable. From recycling in the office to conducting underwater studies, we are taking the necessary steps to protect the environment. This year, we gained a level at Green Marine, which was a great achievement.”
Preparing for growth
The port is also working very closely with its tenants on how they can reduce their overall carbon footprint, such as using methanol fuel for bunkering. A maritime terminal operator, QSL, has recently renewed its lease with the port for another 25 years, illustrating the quality of the port’s services. The Port of Belledune is dedicated to making operations as efficient as possible in order to better serve partners.
“We try to add value within all our partnerships,” said Ms Cleversey-Moffitt. “For example, QSL is looking to increase its tonnage, and with our growth strategy for the port, it can. This is especially relevant for tenants looking to expand into the green market. We have very close relationships with many of our tenants, which we foster through regular meetings
and open communication. This allows us to troubleshoot issues much more effectively.”
In the future, the port plans to continue making investments into optimisation, making it more competitive. Additionally, it will focus on green industrial development, enabling an increase in tonnage and volume. With the completion of the port’s current projects, such as the hydrogen plant, it hopes to become a world leader in port sustainable development.
“It’s like a jigsaw puzzle,” added Mr Caron, in conclusion. “We’ve been putting all of these pieces together and making sure it’s all done correctly. Using the expertise that’s available to us and making informed investments, we have really set the port up for success. I think 2025 will be a very important year going forward with our overall plan and strategy.” n
