The Port of Halifax has reported a strong recent increase in container traffic as a result of continued strength in inbound cargo from Asia which started in the second half of last year and increased flows with Europe. Containerized throughput for Q2 2021 amounted to 156,378 TEUs versus the year earlier 107,888 TEUs.

“Positive factors include the continuation of ultra-class vessel calls at PSA Halifax (CMA CGM Marco Polo in May), the new MSC service at PSA Halifax and big ships over 8600 TEU calling at Ceres-Halifax, and the continued support of Zim, Tropical, Oceanex, ACL, Eimskip, Ocean Alliance, and THE Alliance,” said Lane Farguson,  Manager of Communications at the Halifax Port Authority.

 Putting things in perspective, Mr. Farguson told Maritime Magazine that “comparing quarter over quarter TEU throughput shows a 44% increase, but keep in mind we are comparing a very strong quarter against the COVID quarter last year. If you look at Q2 2021 against Q2 2019, you see a 3% increase, and in 2019 we still had Northern Pulp exports.”

First half 2021 total container volume came to 294,618 TEUs versus the year-earlier 217,962 TEUs.

Asked how the rest of 2021 could be shaping up, Mr. Farguson replied:  “We are at the half and we are still seeing strong containerized cargo numbers. With COVID, it’s difficult to predict what’s going to happen but on the near horizon, we anticipate cargo will continue to be busy. 

“This is a global crisis,” he went on, “and our focus since the onset has been working with our port partners to keep the flow of goods moving through our international gateway while at the same time taking the necessary steps to keep essential workers safe.” (photo HPA)