Port of Halifax welcomes one of the world's largest auto-carriers M/V Toronto
January 9, 2007
Halifax, NS - One of the world's largest auto-carriers, the Pure Car and Truck Carrier PCTC M/V Toronto made its inaugural call to the Port of Halifax yesterday. This is the first and only Canadian port of call on its rotation.
This vessel, owned and operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, has the capacity to carry the equivalent of over 6,000 cars. One third of the units it is transporting to North America were discharged at Autoport Limited in Dartmouth.
"The Port of Halifax handles the world's largest vessels and is the only Canadian marine Autoport facility of its kind. As a result, Halifax has become a key entry point for vehicles into the North American consumer markets with thousands of vehicles moving through our Port each week. For instance, last year the Port of Halifax recorded an approximate increase of 8% in Ro-Ro roll-on/roll-off traffic at Autoport" said Michael Cormier, Vice President, Business Development and Customer Relations, Halifax Port Authority.
"The recent up-grades to our jetty and facility continue to allow us to attract some of the world's largest and newest vessels. We are delighted to welcome the M/V Toronto to Autoport" said Des Gomes, of Autoport Limited.
"The M/V Toronto and its sister ships represent the great advances in the shipbuilding industry and feature the latest, car-carrying and environmentally-friendly technology" said Gary Merlin, Manager in Canada for Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics.
About the M/V Toronto
The M/V Toronto is one of a series of ships that have received acclaim for its highly optimized PCTC design that combines a unique arrangement of double bottom fuel tanks and solid ballast. This design allows for the cargo space to be maximized yet flexible to accommodate a wide variety of Ro-Ro cargo. This new series of PCTC's received the ShipPax Award for Outstanding Ro-Ro decks in 2004.
This ship was built with a focus on environmental protection with its advanced hull and propeller design and yard patented stator fins it is expected to deliver a 10% reduction in fuel consumption. This environmentally friendly design will help Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics meet its ambitious environmental targets. These goals included reaching an average of 1.5% sulphur in the fuel oil; minimizing emissions; the use of tin-free anti-foulant bottom paints; a ballast water exchange BWE system; CFC and HCFC-free cooling agents in refrigeration plants; and biodegradable oil in the stern tubes.
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 9,000 direct and indirect jobs.
For more information:
Michele Peveril, Manager Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Halifax Port Authority
Tel: (902) 426-1060
Fax: (902) 426-6473
E-mail: mpeveril@portofhalifax.ca
