SAINT JOHN, N.B. — The Saint John Port Authority is inviting proposals from stevedoring companies, terminal operators and other interested parties for a long term operating agreement for the Rodney Container Terminal located at the Port of Saint John, N.B. The existing operating agreement expires Dec. 31.

The terminal is comprised of 36 acres of open space, two deep water berths, two gantry cranes and other terminal equipment, efficient on dock rail and truck access to the Trans Canada Highway within 100 km of the US border crossing at Calais, Maine.

Saint John Port Authority officials say they are aggressively pursing opportunities to further develop container services using the Port of Saint John.

By focusing on its unique niche capabilities and opportunities, and its central location in the region, the Port of Saint John is being promoted as the Atlantic Canadian centre of marine activity linking North America to the world, said port officials in a release. In achievement of this vision, Saint John Port Authority intends to heighten awareness of and promote the Port both nationally and internationally.

Officials say the port is ideally situated for trade in the north/south corridor and is also accessible to trans-Atlantic trade. In addition to these advantages, the Saint John area is experiencing a surge in major industrial development, which is either currently under construction or in the planning stages. The Port of Saint John expects to benefit from this industrial growth in break bulk cargo and container activities.

“The location of the Port of Saint John, its productive labour force, and fully equipped terminals, already create a real advantage to shippers and shipping lines which transport goods to/from the Maritime Provinces, Quebec, Ontario, and numerous destinations worldwide” said Captain Alwyn Soppitt, president and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority. “A strategic location is one of the most important factors for shipping lines calling at Canadian ports and we want to grow the existing business through the opportunity this new operating agreement will provide.

This is a unique opportunity for the Port of Saint John to showcase our facilities to the world and to create a long term relationship with a successful operator who will bring more business to the Port thereby creating more waterfront jobs and contributing to the economy of the region,” said Todd Stephen, chair of the Saint John Port Authority.

Advertisements will appear in selected newspapers over the next week and on the Port Authority’s Web site at www.sjport.com. Proposals will be received until Apr. 30 after which time the proposals will be evaluated and a proponent selected to begin negotiations toward a new terminal operating agreement.

For more information contact Soppitt at 506-636-5377 or asoppitt@sjport.com.