SAINT JOHN, N.B. -- A project to upgrade the port in Saint John, N.B., to accommodate larger vessels is getting $68.3 million from the federal government.

The total cost of the project is $205 million, which will see about 10 hectares turned into container storage, four hectares become a multi-purpose yard, and upgrades to access roads, stevedore operations and warehouses.

The main channel at the port is also being deepened from 8.4 to 10 metres.

Port Saint John averages 28 million tonnes of cargo annually and connects to more than 350 ports around the world.

The government says the modernization project will help the port meet increasing demand for its services.

It says the port is responsible for raising the rest of the funds to complete the project, including covering any cost overruns.