Port of Québec expands cruise capacity with multipurpose terminal

The two-story facility covers 9,447 square meters. It has a boarding bridge with a span of 21 meters from the waterline and can accommodate more than 2,500 passengers at once

The first ship is expected to arrive Aug. 4, carrying 3,140 passengers and 1,200 crew.

$31.9m investment

The cost of the $31.9m terminal was divided split among the government of Québec ($15m), the city ($5m) and the port ($11.9m).

'Terminal 30 is the result of the hard work and vision of numerous players who have combined their efforts over the past 20 years to ensure that the Port of Québec is worthy of a UNESCO World Heritage City. In addition to serving large cruise ships, this multipurpose terminal will be available throughout the year for a wide array of events,' said Mario Girard, president and CEO of the Québec Port Authority.

Terminal 20 'will certainly increase the level of satisfaction of travelers and encourage them to return to visit our hotels, restaurants and businesses for many years to come,' added Geneviève Guilbault, deputy premier, minister of public security and minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region, and MNA for Louis-Hébert.

The new facility will 'allow tourists from here and elsewhere to take full advantage of all the riches that the St. Lawrence River has to offer,' generating 'important spinoffs for all of Québec,' according to Chantal Rouleau, minister for transport, minister responsible for the Metropolitan and Regional Affairs of Montréal and MNA for Pointe-aux-Trembles.

Multipurpose facility

During the off-season, Terminal 30 offers storage services for pleasure craft (more than 4,500 square meters to accommodate approximately 65 boats) and hosts large-scale events, such as the Imagine Monet exhibition, which runs until Sept. 5. It also recently served as a vaccination center.