MONTREAL, (June 18, 2004) — Canadian National Railway says it’s expecting a big boost in its container traffic when the first container terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert, B.C., is completed sometime next year.

Chief executive Hunter Harrison said that a planned container terminal at the Pacific port will give CN a competitive advantage over other railways and Prince Rupert –which is said to be 30 hours’ sailing time closer to Asia than other west coast ports — an edge on serving Asian markets.

Canadian Press reports that CN’s $15 million investment at Prince Rupert is partly dependent on getting federal approval for its $1-billion takeover of B.C. Rail, announced last November but still under review by the Competition Bureau. That money will go towards modifying CN’s line to carry double-stacked containers between Prince Rupert and west of Edmonton.

The B.C. provincial government has also committed $17 million to the terminal project.