From Titanic to today, the Port of Halifax is a modern Maritime hub

The Port of Halifax has long been of historical significance. From the rescue mission deployed after the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, recovering 190 bodies to be buried in Halifax, to the Halifax Explosion of 1917, which killed 2,000 people, injured 9,000 others and destroyed 325 acres of land, the port has always been active. The opening of Pier 21 in 1928 allowed more than one million immigrants to find new beginnings in Canada, including the grandfather of this columnist. Today, it remains a bustling hub for import and export on Canada’s eastern shores.

The Halifax Port Authority began containerized cargo operations in 1969 and today oversees the movement of almost 600,000 TEUs annually. Halifax is the only eastern Canadian port able to handle 14,000 TEUs plus vessels.

In 2022, the total impact of the Port of Halifax, including Nova Scotia exporters, on the province of Nova Scotia was $4.87 billion in economic output, with the direct portion being $3 billion. This level of activity generated direct and spin-off positive impacts of $2.5 billion in GDP, $1.6 billion in labour income and over 25,300 jobs, according to the Port of Halifax.

The world’s largest shipping lines call on the Port of Halifax, connecting it to more than 150 countries.

In a recent publication in the Journal of Commerce, Paul MacIsaac, senior vice-president at the Port of Halifax, said, “Unlike many ports where ships often wait in harbour for a berth, our congestion-free berths allow us to service ships promptly upon arrival. Our container dwell time is among the lowest in North America. Import boxes discharged in Halifax bound for inland destinations such as Toronto, Chicago and Detroit typically arrive three days earlier, leading to savings in transit inventory expenses for importers and quicker sales revenue. Our newly established Port Operations Centre, managed by our team at the Halifax Port Authority, seamlessly coordinates ship movements from arrival in the harbour to terminal handling and further onward connections by truck or rail.”

The Port of Halifax has come a long way. What started in 1752 as a saltwater ferry service port turned dockyard, which opened in 1758, has evolved into a behemoth that regularly welcomes some of the largest container vessels on the water, including the CMA CGM Marco Polo at 396 metres long with over 16,000 TEU capacity. The Port of Halifax has seen its share of change and recently welcomed members from CITT’s Canadian Logistics Conference in June with a container terminal tour to see firsthand how operations have improved.

As the first-inbound, last-outbound port in eastern North America, the Port of Halifax and PSA Halifax (the operator of both terminals at the port) continue to develop the infrastructure and acquire new equipment required to accommodate additional container ship traffic, larger vessels and efficient intermodal connections. In 2023, this included the addition of two mega cranes, bringing the total to seven at PSA Halifax’s Atlantic Hub. These cranes are the largest in Eastern Canada and measure 52 metres high and can reach 24 containers across, making them capable of serving the increasing number of ultra-class vessels calling on Halifax. To support PSA operations, the Port of Halifax is also working on infilling at the ocean terminals to expand PSA’s Atlantic Hub, increasing container capacity from 1.2 million TEUs to 1.36 million. The Port of Halifax and PSA are also advancing the inter-terminal rail solution project to improve downtown Halifax truck traffic and expand the on-dock rail to 14,000 feet by 2026, optimizing trade flows through the port.

One of the greatest historical impacts the Port of Halifax has had is the operation of Pier 21 from 1928 to 1971, which welcomed over one million immigrants to Canada’s eastern shore. It was here where passengers escaping the turmoil of war in Europe and in search of a better life came through the brick walkway at Pier 21 to start their new lives. During the Second World War, Pier 21 also acted as the key embarkation facility for soldiers and military personnel destined for Europe, many of whom would never return. Today, it is an immersive museum that showcases what it was like for immigrants coming to Canada.

While the view of the shoreline of Halifax has changed from one of freedom and new beginnings from passenger vessels coming in from overseas, the Port of Halifax still welcomes tourists and cruise liners for disembarkation on Canada’s east coast. In 2023, the Port of Halifax reached historic levels with 178 vessel calls and 434,000 passengers and crew, reportedly injecting $130 million into the local economy.

With its strategic location on the east coast, its historical impact in the Maritimes and throughout the rest of Canada and the infrastructure developments that are just setting sail at the container terminal, it is clear to see the Port of Halifax is no sinking ship.