Sarens Supports $800 Million Expansion of Westshore Terminals

The construction of a new potash storage facility at Westshore Terminals will soon enable the export of 4.5 million tons of potash annually, primarily for the production of food fertilizers. This expansion is part of an $800 million investment agreement with BHP, designed to provide port services for the Jansen mine in Saskatchewan.

Sarens is working on the project on behalf of its client Maple Reinders. The scope includes the lifting and installation of 33 double arches, each weighing 80,000 pounds with a 70-foot radius. These glulam structures are critical to the development of the covered storage areas.

To complete the work, Sarens deployed two crawler cranes with a lifting capacity of 250 tons, supported by RT cranes (100 tons), AT cranes (250 and 120 tons), and a 55-ton boom truck. The equipment was mobilized from Sarens’ Vancouver branch, with each crawler crane assembled in just two days despite limited site access within the operating coal terminal.

The complex lifts required precise coordination, with multiple cranes working simultaneously to raise and connect each arch. Challenges included strong winter winds and restricted space, which demanded careful planning and flexible execution. At peak, more than 100 workers were engaged on-site.

Scheduled for completion in 2026, the expansion will transform Westshore into a mixed-use terminal, with facilities for potash handling including covered storage, railcar unloaders, and conveyors. Potash, a potassium-rich mineral, is a vital fertilizer ingredient that enhances crop yields and strengthens plants, and it also has applications in the chemical industry.

With its proven track record in Canada, including major projects such as Shell’s Polaris CCS Project and Toronto’s Union Station renovation, Sarens continues to demonstrate its expertise in supporting complex infrastructure developments.