The Port of Halifax has reported declines in total and container cargo in 2024, but continued strong business from the largest container ships calling on the East Coast of North America.
“Halifax is a key international trade gateway to inland markets in Quebec, Ontario and US Midwest. We are a customer-centric, trusted partner,” said Fulvio Fracassi, President and CEO, Port of Halifax. “In 2024, we had 42 vessels larger than 10,000 TEU make 117 calls, showing Halifax’s strength as a deepwater port able to berth the largest container vessels on the Eastern Seaboard.
“The global geopolitical situation continued to have an impact on Halifax’s containerized cargo, reflected in reduced volumes during Q1-Q3. In Q4, diverted cargo from other ports and the general shipping peak season resulted in stronger volumes. Overall, containerized cargo was down 6.8% from 2023.”
Container cargo in 2024 amounted to 509,273 TEU versus 546,163 TEUs in 2023. Port-wide cargo totalled 9.60 million tonnes compared with 9.86 million tonnes in 2023. Non-containerized cargo (agriproducts and offshore wind components) was up 20% in 2024.
The Nova Scotia port connects to more than 150 countries. Leading trading lanes: Asia (41%), Europe (34%) and Latin America and the Caribbean (14%).
“Looking ahead to 2025,” Mr. Fracassi said, “the Port of Halifax will be focused on continuing efforts to support our partners to ensure we are a competitive, innovative, fluid and reliable component of the national supply chain. Projects such as the Integrated Rail Solution, the development of a Data Integration Hub and others will assist these efforts.”
(Stork Aerial photo of Port of Halifax)