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International Cooperation Department
Tel.: (+86-21) 65853850-8034
Fax: (+86-21) 65373125
E-mail: ICDept@sisi-smu.org
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Ports |
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| P of Halifax breaches 600,000 TEU mark amid increasing in competition |
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Date:2023-02-08 Readers:
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COMPETITION for box traffic is in full swing on Canada's east coast with the port of Halifax, which narrowly missed the 600,000 TEU mark in 2021, clocking up 601,700 TEU of throughput.
This small increase - up from 595,751 TEU in 2021 - came despite significant leakage to the port of Saint John, which was on course to nearly double its tally last year, according to London's Loadstar.
Halifax's management stressed that collaboration with ocean and rail carriers, terminal operator PSA and labour was the reason for the success.
Captain Allan Gray, president and CEO of Halifax Port Authority, said: "In 2022, we started using the Joint Operation Centre for containerized cargo operations and that helped find new efficiencies and maintain cargo fluidity, with no vessel berthing delays during a second year of sustained supply chain disruptions."
Dan Bresolin, vp intermodal, at CN, added: "Through strong collaboration with PSA, Halifax Port Authority and our mutual customers, there are many more opportunities ahead to further grow the Halifax gateway."
Operators are investing in capabilities to handle future growth. PSA ordered two super post-panamax cranes last year, which are due to arrive early this year, which will bring the terminal's line-up to seven. And eight Konecranes are due to arrive in 2024.
In addition, the terminal operator is investing this year to increase yard handling space, improve efficiency and sustainability.
The port obtained CAD7 million (US$5.228 million) from Ottawa's National Trade Corridors Fund last year toward the establishment of a new on-site container examination facility outside the port. This should reduce turnaround times and reduce congestion. The port is shouldering the balance of the CAD15-million price tag.
Halifax is facing rising competition from Saint John, one of the fastest-growing ports on the east coast. By the end of September, the New Brunswick port celebrated box traffic passing the 100,000 TEU mark - well over the 87,000 TEU for the whole of 2021 - and the port authority estimated its throughput for the year should be close to 150,000 TEU.
Saint John has seen container throughput soar since Canadian Pacific got access to the east coast in 2020 with the acquisition of Central Maine & Quebec Railway, which led to a rise in container sailings. More growth is expected since CSX bought Pan Am Railways last year, which made it the third Class I railway (besides CP and CN) with access to the port.
And Saint John is aggressively ramping up capacity: a CAD205 million project will double it, from 150,000 to 300,000 TEU. This involves a terminal upgrade and expansion of berth and channel, with a second container berth expected to be ready this year.
https://www.shippingazette.com/menu.asp?encode=eng |
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