Home to a dynamic and diverse oceans cluster
It should be no surprise that Halifax is a world leader in the oceans sector, given its proximity to the water, the focus of its universities and community college, and the depth of its science-based workforce. In fact, Halifax has one of the highest concentrations of PhDs in Marine Science in the world.
The sector itself is broad, and includes goods and services providers
engaged in oceans technology, fisheries and aquaculture, shipbuilding,
and ocean observations, as well as marine-centric defence and security,
transportation, life sciences and energy. Local companies within the
sector are often involved in two or more of these ocean industries. Ocean technologies is one of the region's largest advanced
technology industries with high levels of R&D and innovation, highly
skilled talent, and an export focus.
Halifax and the region's economy benefit significantly from the ocean sector:
- Estimated economic impact of $2.6 Billion, accounting for 8.1% of the provincial GDP
- Including spin-offs, the sector generates $5.0 billion, or 15.5% of GDP
- 60,000 jobs, or 14% of provincial employment.
Why choose Halifax?
- A niche in marine-derived nutraceuticals and food additives. Halifax is a leader in the development and
production of marine-derived nutraceuticals.
- Acadian Seaplants, the world's largest manufacturer of seaweed-based specialty products;
- Ocean Nutrition, one of the world's largest producers of Omega-3 supplements;
- Ascenta Health, which has the largest share of Canada's Omega-3 supplements market; and,
- The National Research Council's Institute for Marine Biosciences,
which employs 120 scientists, technicians and support staff, and
undertakes cutting-edge R&D with nutraceuticals and functional food
companies.
- A defence and security cluster specializing in
marine applications. As home to 40% of Canada's military assets, the
East Coast Navy, 10,000 DND and Canadian Forces personnel, Halifax has a dynamic defence and security cluster, one largely focused
on the marine environment. Our private sector strengths in this area
include technologies related to military, search and rescue,
surveillance, port security and system integration.
The local
industry is intimately tied to Canadian military procurement, and is
undertaking large-scale Department of National Defence projects,
including the modernization of DND's 12 Halifax class multi-patrol
frigates, known as the Halifax Class Modernization/Frigate Life Extension Project.
- A
base for offshore oil & gas support. Halifax's offshore technology
firms have deep experience in the offshore oil & gas industry,
having provided much of the engineering, seismic survey, modeling and
forecasting, production and processing and underwater intervention
support during the Sable Island Offshore Energy Project (currently
winding down), and the Deep Panuke Project, currently under development.
Ecana is leading the installation of facilities required to produce and
process natual gas from the Deep Panuke field, approximately 250
kilometres (155 miles) southeast of Halifax, on the Scotian Shelf.
- The Nova Scotia Payroll Rebate and other federal and provincial incentives to help you relocate and expand your business. We'll be glad to assist you in identifying the ones that best suit your needs.
Nova Scotia Payroll Rebate
Productivity Investment Program (PIP): Capital Investment Incentive and Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive.
- ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund
- ACOA's Business Development Program (BDP)
NRC's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
The Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program
Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP)
- Halifax is the ideal place to offset your Industrial Regional Benefit Policy (IRBP) commitments, given its concentration of publicly-funded research.
- We’re strategically located, whether you are moving goods in and out of North America, or delivering services across European, North American and Caribbean time zones.
- We’re Canada’s smart city,
with one of the best educated workforces in all of Canada. More than
two-thirds of Halifax's population has a trade, college or university
designation. Halifax is home to six highly regarded universities - one of the largest concentrations of universities
in North America - each specializing in various programs and degrees. These institutions currently have 5,538 graduate students and 25,014 undergraduate students enrolled.
While many of these institutions offer programs indirectly related to the oceans sector, such as engineering and science degrees, Dalhousie University is recognized as a world-class educational provider of marine-specific programs. Its programs range from oceanography and marine biology, to marine management and marine law. Furthermore, the Nova Scotia Community College offers a certificate in marine industrial rigging at one of its Halifax campuses, in addition to numerous other programs that serve the oceans cluster. They are in the areas of engineering and applied science technology, geomatics, and natural resources and environment.
- A leader in marine R&D (Research & Defence). Halifax has got a critical mass of private, post-secondary and
government scientists undertaking R&D in marine-related renewable
energy, defence and security, and environmental management. On
average, regional firms devote 31.1% of full-time employee time to
research and development. Between 400-500 PhDs work on ocean-based
activities; that represents the third-largest collection of expertise
anywhere in North America. Many are
based at:
- Dalhousie University: Oceans research is central to Dalhousie University, to Halifax, to Nova
Scotia, to Canada and to the world. Dalhousie scientists, with federal laboratory scientists in Halifax and
their national and international colleagues, are providing the world with
remarkable, cutting-edge information on oceans. Dalhousie's work makes Halifax and Canada one of the global
leaders in oceans research.
- The Bedford Institute of Oceanography, is Canada's largest centre for ocean research and the country's first major
centre devoted to oceanography. Its home to 500 scientists,
engineers, technicians and natural resource managers and support staff
from the federal departments of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment,
Natural Resources Canada, and Defence. It houses the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Maritime Regional office, the Atlantic
Geoscience Centre, and Environment Canada’s Regional Wet Laboratory.
- Defence Research Development Canada (Atlantic), where 240 staff are developing marine security solutions, with an emphasis on sonar technology and torpedo defence;
- Acoustic Data Analysis Centre Atlantic (ADAC Atlantic), a recognized expert in acoustic analysis in Canada;
- Environment Canada Meteorological Service of Canada (Atlantic), home to 100 meteorologists, scientists and support staff;
Geological
Survey of Canada (Dartmouth, NS) is the principal marine geoscience
facility in Canada providing expertise in geophysical mapping and marine geosciences.
- The National Research Council for Marine Biosciences (Atlantic),
consisting of 120 scientists, technicians and support staff undertaking
world-class R&D in marine biosciences and biotechnology.
Notable Ocean Industries Companies in Halifax
Marine Defence & Security
Offshore & Gas
Read more about key players in ocean industries.Industry Voices
"Our competitors are working hard to gain an advantage in the marketplace. The payroll rebate helps our Nova Scotia-based company retain and retrain our skilled workforce while we invest in our overall competitiveness." John Fitzpatrick President, Advanced Precision "We are pleased to offer our guests the opportunity to explore the magic of Halifax and its surrounding areas as part of our five-night cruises up the New England Coast. We believe our guests are going to love this experience." Karl Holz President, Disney Cruise Line "Our experience has been tremendously positive in terms of quality and quantity of skilled labour in Nova Scotia." Tom Digan President, Lockheed Martin Canada |