Port of Halifax Ends 2017 with Record Box, Cruise Volumes

Canada’s Port of Halifax has set a new annual record in both containerized and cruise volumes.

In 2017, the port handled a total of 559,242 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up by 16% over 2016 when the port recorded 480,722 TEUs.

As explained, this is the highest volume of containerized cargo the Port of Halifax has handled in a single year. The previous record was 550,462 TEU, set in 2005.

The cruise industry in Halifax also experienced record numbers in 2017, with 173 vessel calls carrying 292,722 passengers. 2017 saw an increase of 23% in overall passenger counts and 27% in vessel calls, compared to 2016 when the port welcomed 238,217 passengers and 136 cruise vessels.

Total HPA cargo volume stood at 5.01 million metric tons last year, an increase of 12.3% when compared to 4.46 million tons of cargo seen in 2016.

“The current growth cycle is a reflection of the hard work of key port partners including terminal operators, ocean carriers, rail provider CN, labour, marine pilots, tug operators, and our partners in the tourism sector,” Karen Oldfield, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority, commented.

“This past year also saw the arrival of ultra container vessels over 10,000 TEU to our port. All of this combined provides a very strong foundation on which to build, and we are looking forward to our continued work together in the year ahead,” Oldfield added.