We currently have four terminals for international containers on Montreal Island. At optimal capacity, that enables us to receive 2.1 million TEU containers. Last year, we received 1.6 million containers. In 2016, we created the fourth and last container terminal we can develop on Montreal Island—the Viau Terminal. That terminal will be developed in two stages. The second stage will begin soon, as that terminal is being filled up much faster than anticipated.
The expansion of the Port of Montreal at Contrecoeur meets the need for additional capacity not only right now, but in the near future. We actually estimate that we will need additional space to receive containerized cargo as of the middle of the next decade, so around 2023-2024. The considerable reserve we have at Contrecoeur—468 hectares of land—will be developed in three stages. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is currently conducting an environmental assessment of the first stage, which would give the Port of Montreal an additional capacity of 1.15 million TEU containers. We already estimate that the completion of a second stage and a third stage will allow us to reach the capacity to process 3.5 million additional containers.
The expansion of the Port of Montreal at Contrecoeur gives us capacity for decades to come.