Port of Halifax featured at the Empire Club in Toronto
February 26, 2007
"Trading with India is Canada's next big opportunity," was the key theme of a speech by Karen Oldfield, President & CEO of the Halifax Port Authority, to the Empire Club. She spoke about the opportunity for trade with India through the Suez Canal and how the Port of Halifax is strategically positioned to be a North American gateway for increased trade with emerging markets.
Some highlights of the Port of Halifax speech included:
- Through the Suez Canal, India is 1840 nautical miles closer to Halifax than to ports on the west coast. India is the world's second fastest growing economy in the world and the growth potential over the next several years is huge. "In a few short years we believe the India Atlantic Corridor will rival the Asia Pacific freight corridor."
- The Port of Halifax has capacity at both terminals and on rail to accommodate significant cargo growth. Expansion of both terminals would allow the Port of Halifax to handle two million TEU's or four times the current volume flowing through the port today.
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
JoAnna Green, Sales Manager, Atlantic Region
Seabridge International Shipping Inc.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Tel: (902) 425-5500
Fax: (902) 425-0877
Cell: (902) 449-9111
E-mail: joanna.green@seabridge.ca
Website: www.seabridge.ca
Bob Betts
Protos Shipping Ltd
Tel: (902) 421-1211
Fax: (902) 425-4336
E-mail: bbetts@halifax.protos.ca
