PSA Halifax terminal has welcomed the maiden call of CMA CGM Marco Polo, which at 16,022 TEU capacity is the largest containerized vessel to call on any Canadian port, further strengthening CMA CGM’s weekly Columbus-JAX service (Ocean Alliance AWE3) arriving direct from South Asia and China. The vessel will break the U.S. East Coast record when it calls New York on Thursday.

An impressive 396 metres in length and 53.6 metres across the width of the ship, the CMA CGM Marco Polo adds capacity to a service comprised of 19 ‘ultra-class’ vessels. With a terminal area of 32 ha, a continuous berth length of 800m and depth of 16.5m, PSA Halifax is the only terminal in Eastern Canada that can accommodate ultra-class vessels.

“Since 2015 when CMA CGM first brought the Columbus service to Halifax, we have had incredible support from our ILA workforce, CN Rail, Atlantic Pilots, Halifax Port Authority and from the strength and depth of today’s Ocean Alliance partners,” said Jan van Mossevelde, Chief Executive Officer at PSA Halifax.

“The arrival of CMA CGM Marco Polo signifies a milestone for PSA Halifax as a team – it is testament to the terminal’s capabilities and to the recent delivery of key infrastructure – taking Halifax forward together and recognising the efficiency and reliability of this deep-water Atlantic hub for our customers,” he adds.

PSA Halifax is working with all stakeholders to ensure that the Port City continues to deliver creative supply chain solutions for Canadian exporters and importers, as well as reliability into US markets. A unique and growing network of coastal opportunities offers logistical support for global Carriers using PSA Halifax and environmentally beneficial options for a broad range of shippers.

Looking ahead, PSA’s global approach will continue to drive greater connectivity for all PSA Halifax customers. CMA CGM Canada General Manager Thiago Campos stated, “At CMA CGM, we meet the growing needs of our Canada customers by offering responsive and innovative solutions. The entrance of the ‘CMA CGM Marco Polo not only increases overall capacity on our Columbus-JAX service, it also gives us additional reefer capability due to the vessel’s 1,185 reefer plugs. Whether our customers need to ship dry cargo or have temperature-controlled freight like liquids, seafood, produce or pharmaceuticals, we have the technology and the capacity to get the job done for the people of Canada.”

Bigger ships offer greater efficiencies, growth and prosperity, both locally in Atlantic Canada and upstream to major cities and distribution centres throughout eastern Canada. Trade has been safeguarded and protected by dedicated workforces throughout the pandemic of 2020 and into 2021 and the maiden call of the CMA CGM Marco Polo is a fitting reminder of the great support that international trade, via Halifax, has received from across Canada. (Photo CMA CGM)