Halifax port business looking up
ROGER TAYLOR
Sat. Apr 24 - 4:54 AM
THERE ARE benefits to competition, and that’s especially true for a federal agency like the Halifax Port Authority.
Halifax is considered a "discretionary" port because the bulk of the cargo handled here is headed somewhere other than the Atlantic region.
So the port is constantly battling to hold on to business while trying to drum up more customers.
It seems to me that a decline in port commercial activity in Halifax over the last several years, just as some rival ports were successfully building their business, has heightened a sense of urgency to turn things around in Halifax.
Add to that the possibility that private developers will soon build a rival container terminal in Melford at the Strait of Canso and it’s easy to see that Halifax port managers are challenged to stay relevant.
I think for too many Nova Scotians it’s easy to take for granted the tremendous asset Halifax Harbour represents, but occasionally something comes along to remind us.
Earlier this week, I flipped on the television to watch Jeopardy and was surprised to hear one of the clues was about Halifax. It went something like, "This Nova Scotia city has one of the world’s largest harbours."
I was equally surprised when the contestant answered correctly.
It’s not shocking that one of the most famous things about Halifax is its naturally deep and ice-free harbour, but it is equally true that Halifax Harbour can’t live off its deep reputation alone.
Statistics show the container business in Halifax has rebounded from the first-quarter lows reported last year, but it is clear that the container business hasn’t returned to pre-recession levels.
This is all pushing the port authority to invest in infrastructure, which is aimed at bringing more business to Halifax.
The port authority and the federal government are spending $75 million to upgrade the Richmond Terminal in the city’s north end and another $35 million is being spent to dredge Pier C in the south end.
The dredging will allow that pier to accommodate two of the largest ships in the world simultaneously.
I’m not sure if the promise of port improvements is helping to make the case for Halifax, but over the past year five shipping lines were convinced to start calling.
Today, there are 19 lines serving Halifax. This week, one of those lines, CMA-CGM, announced it would be adding a ship to increase the frequency of its calls on Halifax.
And there are unconfirmed reports that Maersk Line will soon return to Halifax for a weekly service.
All that is good news, but don’t expect the competition to let up.
Bob Stevens, CEO of Melford International Terminals Inc., the Halifax company pushing forward with plans to build the terminal at the Strait of Canso, says he’s pleased Halifax is showing signs of improvement. It helps to make the case for Nova Scotia as the first port of call for vessels crossing the Atlantic to North America, and the last call for vessels headed in the other direction.
The Melford terminal backers plan to employ modern technology at the Strait terminal, which aims to offer customers a faster and better alternative to rival ports on the east coast of North America, not just Halifax.
While some may question whether the Melford group is serious about putting its plan into action, the proponents are being taken seriously elsewhere.
Stevens and his partners in Halifax-based Trident Holdings Inc., the original proponent of the Melford terminal project, have a contract with the State of Louisiana to develop a comprehensive port master plan and port development plan for Plaquemines Parish, near New Orleans.
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rtaylor@herald.ca)
i think a Halifax Ports thread would better suite this but i thouht id post this here since everyone else is.