Canadian engineer WSP and Seymour Whyte, an Australian subsidiary of French contractor Vinci, have won rail contracts for Melbourne’s port.

WSP will work on design consultancy services and Seymour Whyte will be the contractor for the US$97m project, which includes building a link to a container terminal at Swanson Dock East.

The development is intended to integrate the movement of freight between ships, trucks and rail.

Brendan Bourke, the Port of Melbourne’s chief executive, said: “As Australia’s largest container and general cargo port, it’s critical that we maintain a long-term investment view so that we continue to meet the freight needs of Victoria and southeast Australia.”

Initial works are due to begin in March 2021, with construction following in July. The project is due to be completed by 2023.