THE developers of a C$350 million (US$350.6 million) deepwater container terminal in the Nova Scotia's Strait of Canso say construction will start this year, reports the Cape Breton Post.

Richie Mann, vice-president of marketing for Melford International Terminal, said funding for the project has been secured. "We have a desire to get construction going as soon as possible. We will not do that until we have all of the elements in place, and that includes cargo commitment," he said.

Mr Mann said a freight customer base must be developed prior to terminal construction.

In July 2010, Maher Terminals announced it would be taking an unspecified stake in the terminal on the Canadian east coast, which will cover 315 acres and include an intermodal on-dock rail facility and a 1,500-acre logistics park on the mainland side of the strait.

Mr Mann said the terminal is expected to take up to 26 months to build, with operations to begin in 2014-15.

Melford developers must first build a public loop road around the terminal site that will connect Route 344 to each side of the terminal. Melford will take ownership of an existing section of road that will become redundant, while the deed to the new road will be given to Nova Scotia province.

The terminal is expected to employ up to 80 per shift not including customs and security guards, associated trucking and construction jobs, as well as jobs associated with the development of a proposed logistics park.

Mr Mann also expected the construction of the terminal would require an upgrade of the nearby railway facilities.