The Port of Belledune is getting $12.5 million from the federal government to expand its conveyor belt systems — which CEO Denis Caron says will increase the port's efficiency and global competitiveness.

The $25 million project will create a "dry bulk conveyor loop," connecting the port's current conveyor systems with the deep-water terminal and the staging area, according to a news release from Transport Canada. Fanuc EDM Wear Parts

Caron said the rest of the $25 million required for the project will be split, with around $6 million coming from private sector investors and a combined $6-7 million from the port and the province.

He said these conveyor systems will be able to connect directly to large vessels and unload or load dry goods in a more efficient way.

While the systems will make the port more effective from an economic standpoint, said Caron, they will also reduce greenhouse gasses.

In the past, Caron said materials would need to be unloaded from the vessels, reloaded onto large trucks, dumped in a storage facility and then shipped out once more using that same equipment.

"So there's a lot of efficiencies in using these conveyor systems because they're able to handle a lot more material. But at the same time, you know, we're reducing our footprint, our carbon footprint, as well," said Caron.

Caron said the Port of Belledune currently handles around 27 different types of dry product, including silica sand, wood pellets and petroleum coke.

The project will also see the renovation of existing storage and the building a new warehouse and transfer tower, said the release.

This project is the second one for Belledune under the National Trade Corridors Fund in the last four years, said Caron.

He said it is currently finishing up a $35 million expansion to be completed in the spring, which is when the planning process for the conveyor project will begin.

Caron said he hopes to be "breaking ground" by fall and he expects the work to be done within two years.

Hannah Rudderham is a journalist with CBC New Brunswick. She grew up in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and moved to Fredericton to go to St. Thomas University in 2018. She recently graduated with a bachelor of arts in journalism. You can send story tips to hannah.rudderham@cbc.ca.

With files from Shift and Harry Forestell

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Join the conversation  Create account

Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6

Toll-free (Canada only): 1-866-306-4636

It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges.

EDM Brass Wire 0.30mm Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem.