2004 at the Port of Halifax
January 26, 2005
Second best year ever for containerized cargo tonnage and record year for cruise activity
Halifax, NS - The Port of Halifax experienced its second best year ever for containerized cargo tonnage volumes in 2004 and an exceptional year in cruise activity with a record number of passengers and cruise ships.
For the fifth consecutive year, over half-a-million container units were shipped through the Port of Halifax for a total of 525,553 TEUs twenty foot equivalent units . Containerized cargo tonnage volume totalled 4,497,270 metric tonnes.
A total of 212,834 cruise passengers aboard 122 cruise ships visited the Port last year for an all-time cruise activity record.
"At the Port of Halifax, cargo has long been our steady core business with cruise fast becoming an important part of port activity," says Patricia McDermott, Vice President Marketing, Halifax Port Authority. "We had a steady year with cargo and foresee growth on the horizon for both main line and feeder services, including the resumption of the Boston area feeder service in January."
The strength of local exporters contributed to an increase in total export cargo by 2.3% over 2003. Exports of bulk cargo grew by 3.4%. An example of a local bulk exporter growing their export business through the Port of Halifax is National Gypsum. The company celebrated their 50th anniversary shipping through Halifax in 2004 and their exports increased 9.5% year-over-year.
The 2004 cruise season was the longest yet, with ships calling between April and November. The number of cruise passenger grew by 25% over 2003. Eight cruise ships made their inaugural visit to the Port of Halifax, including the Queen Mary 2, the world's largest cruise ship.
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For more information please contact:
Michele PeverilManager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Halifax Port Authority
Telephone: 902.426.1060
Cell: 902.229.3236
E-mail: mpeveril@portofhalifax.ca
About Halifax Port Authority
The Halifax Port Authority is a government business enterprise mandated by the Federal Ministry of Transport. The HPA leads in the development of the Port of Halifax, serving as a catalyst for the local, regional and national economies and has a mandate to be financially viable. The Port of Halifax has a total annual income impact of almost $700 million and an employment impact of over 9000 direct and indirect jobs.
