PRPA and Metlakatla Development Corporation partner to develop new imports logistics project

The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) and the Metlakatla Development Corporation (MDC) are partnering to develop the South Kaien Import Logistics Park (SKILP). The $100M+ Indigenous-led joint venture will enable long-term economic benefits for Metlakatla and new employment opportunities for local Indigenous workers, while bolstering intermodal trade through the Prince Rupert Gateway.

A portion of SKILP will host a logistics and warehousing complex that significantly expands and strengthens import transloading and related capabilities at the Port of Prince Rupert. Construction is underway in developing the 56 acres of flat, serviced industrial land in proximity to Fairview Terminal, CN Rail, and the recently announced CANXPORT facility.

The majority of SKILP is pre-leased, with IntermodeX, a leading integrated intermodal services company and subsidiary of SSA Marine, as the anchor tenant. As Prince Rupert’s first major import logistics operator, IntermodeX will develop and operate the new 33-acre logistics and warehousing facilities, with operations commencing in Q1 2027. Another 23 acres remain available for tenants wanting access to a deep-sea port, CN rail line, provincial highway, and full-service intermodal gateway.

The primary construction contractor is Coast Tsimshian Northern Contractors Alliance (CTNCA), an Indigenous-led joint venture that includes Coast Tsimshian Enterprises and IDL Projects Inc. To enable SKILP, MDC received $43.3 million from the National Trade Corridors Fund to support the project. The Canada Infrastructure Bank has provided $60.9 million in financing through its Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative.

SKILP is a key component of the port’s fully integrated intermodal ecosystem that connects supply chain infrastructure within the growing gateway’s existing footprint. The IntermodeX facility will complement the future operations at CANXPORT, a large-scale export transloading and logistics facility currently under construction on nearby Ridley Island. The two projects are designed to maximize efficiency and build greater competitive advantages for shippers, by reinforcing the balance of intermodal trade flowing through the Prince Rupert Gateway.