Centuries of shipping and shipbuilding have made Halifax a marine and naval centre. Thanks to its ideal geographic location, the Port of Halifax is one of the world’s leading ports.

• North America’s eastern-most full-service port, offering some of the deepest, ice-free waters on the eastern seaboard.
• Closer to Europe than any other east coast port of call.
• The first destination for carriers sailing from Asia through the Suez Canal.
• Excellent intermodal rail, truck, water, and air connections.
• The only North American port that can handle fully laden post-Panamax container vessels, thanks to our deep waters -- approximately 45-50 feet at berth.

Cargo

These factors have made the Port of Halifax a major port of call. In 2007, 12.2 million metric tonnes of cargo passed through the Port, ranging from gypsum to petroleum products to cars. The cargo total included 4.23 million tonnes of container cargo, which accounted for 84.5% of the Port's cargo tonnage.

Cruise
Halifax has strengthened its position as the marquee cruise port in Atlantic Canada with cruise passengers doubling over the past five years. Cruise is the fastest growing business for the Port and continues to offer opportunity for expansion. Close to 220,000 passengers will visit Halifax in 2008. The 2008 season will now begin on April 14, with the arrival of the M/S Amadea and closes on November 9 with the Balmoral.

Navy & Coast Guard
Halifax is also home to the East Coast base of the Canadian Navy with 17 active naval vessels with 9,000 Canadian Forces members, 400 Reservists and 2,250 civilian employees. The Canadian Coast Guard base, on the Dartmouth side of Halifax Harbour, is home to 10 vessels providing ice-breaking, surveying, patrol and research services to the marine industry.

Marine Services
Halifax Shipyard's engineers and craftsmen are experienced in new construction, ship repair, conversion and refits on a wide range of commercial and naval vessels in an 18-hectare facility with two floating dry-docks capable of lifting ships to a maximum of 36,000 tonne displacement.

For more information on the services and facilities in the Port of Halifax visit www.portofhalifax.com.

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