Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This information has been designed to quickly outline the ocean shipping services available between Halifax and various world ports. Our main purpose is to assist regional exporters in locating the services best suited to their needs and to promote the use of Halifax as a gateway to world trade routes by Canadian overseas trade.
- What is the Halifax Port Authority?
- What Makes Halifax Such a Unique Harbour?
- What are the Advantages of Shipping Through the Port of Halifax?
- What Should I Know Before I Contact the Shipping Line? - 5 Steps
- How do I get my Shipment to the Port?
- How Much Time Will it Take for my Shipment to Arrive?
- How Much will it Cost?
- How Often do Ships Call at the Port of Halifax?
- Publications of Interest
- Useful Contacts
- Immigration Ships and Family History
- Port of Halifax Magazine subscriptions
- Additional Information
What is the Halifax Port Authority?
Please click here for a description of the Halifax Port Authority.
What Makes Halifax Such a Unique Harbour?
Halifax has one of the largest natural harbours in the world. It boasts an outer harbour two kilometres in width and eight kilometres in length with a narrow channel leading to a huge inner harbour - Bedford Basin. With a depth of 18 metres (60 feet) at low tide, Halifax also has one of the world's deepest harbours.
Halifax Harbour is approached directly from the sea, is sheltered and spacious and has minimal currents and tides. The absence of ice leaves the harbour accessible year round.
The Port of Halifax is the first inbound port and the last outbound port on the North American continent enabling the shortest ocean voyage for ships operating on the North Atlantic. Halifax is strategically located near major shipping lanes.
What are the Advantages of Shipping Through the Port of Halifax?
Please click here to see the advantages of shipping through the Port of Halifax.
What should I know before I contact the shipping line?
STEP 1 - Where Is Your Shipment Going? Nearest Port?
Once you know the ultimate destination of your cargo, you must decide which port you wish to ship into. To assist you in determining the nearest or most convenient foreign port for your cargo, a listing of shipping lines and the ports they serve is included under the Sailing Schedule section. Please keep in mind that the list of ports and their shipping lines should be verified with the lines and agents.
STEP 2 - Which Shipping Lines Service That Port?
This is important because not all shipping lines service every port. It should also be noted that numerous other ocean shipping lines, tramp operators, charter vessels and private vessels serve the Port of Halifax on an inducement, occasional, or speciality cargo basis. Expert advice should be solicited before entering into a vessel chartering agreement. Advice on chartering can be obtained from:
Shipping Federation of Canada
300 St. Sacrement, Suite 326
Montreal, PQ
H2Y 1X4
Tel: (514) 849-2325
Fax: (514) 849-6992
STEP 3 - Type Of Cargo?
As a shipper, you must be able to describe what you are shipping. This goes beyond the actual cargo description in that you must be able to describe what kind of handling is required. Typically, cargo falls into one of the following categories:
- Bulk Cargo - Cargo shipped in loose condition like coal, grains and iron ore.
- General Cargo - Heterogeneous cargo consisting of various types of merchandise. General Cargo includes container, ro/ro and breakbulk.
- Container Cargo - As the name implies, this is cargo that can be placed in a large rectangular or square container/box of a strong structure and can withstand handling from ship to shore and back. The container is sealed at the point of origin and unsealed at the destination.
- Breakbulk Cargo - The general cargo carried on a ship which is shown on separate bills of lading to distinguish the merchandise from the bulk shipments. Breakbulk Cargo includes rolls of newsprint, bales of rubber, and steel, for example.
- Ro/Ro Cargo - Roll-on/Roll-off Cargo. System of loading and discharging a ship whereby the cargo is driven on and off on ramps or trailers (e.g., vehicles).
Depending on the type of cargo you are shipping, your cargo may need to be stored at a constant temperature throughout the voyage. If this is the case, you may wish to request that your shipment be placed in an insulated or refrigerated container rather than in a dry container. A list of typically available container equipment can be found here. Your choice of containers may be limited depending upon the shipping line and destination that you choose as not all lines carry all container equipment on certain routes. Definitions of the two main types of containers follow.
- Insulated and Refrigerated (Reefer) Container - A container used for goods needing regulated temperatures (either heated or cooled) for preservation during the voyage from the point of shipment or despatch on to destinations.
- Dry Container - A container used for goods not requiring regulated temperatures for preservation during the voyage from the point of shipment or dispatch on to the final destination.
STEP 4 - How Much Are You Shipping?
This information is especially important if you are considering sending your shipment in a container since certain lines will only accept full containerload (FCL) shipments. Limited Less than Containerload (LCL) service is also available to some markets either directly through the container lines or through freight forwarders. Definitions of both FCL and LCL are below.
- Full Containerload (FCL) - A Shipment that would fill up a container on its own; The maximum weight or measurement which a container can hold as cargo contents.
- Less than Containerload (LCL) - A small shipping consignment which is not enough inducement to be sent in a container due to its insufficient volume and weight. In such cases small parcels are collected, typically at a container terminal, and individually stowed in a container until it is full.
STEP 5 - Who to call?
You can choose to go through a freight forwarder or through an individual shipping line. While pros and cons exist with each of these choices, freight forwarders and lines both provide the shipper with excellent service.
- Freight Forwarder - The rate differential between Full Containerload (FCL) and Less than Full Containerload (LCL) shipments has encouraged the use of freight forwarders. These middlemen combine smaller LCL shipments into containerloads thus passing part of the savings gained from FCL rates along to customers. In addition, many freight forwarders offer clients such additional services as the handling of their accounts and help with the paperwork required in international marketing. For your convenience, a listing of freight forwarders is included in the Business Directory.
- Shipping Agent - A person or a company authorized to act on behalf of its principal, that is, the actual shipping line. The agent represents the owner in all formalities needed while entering the port, during customs clearance, and up to the final sailing. The agent prepares all the formalities needed to secure a berth and advises import/export cargo owners about where to receive or send merchandise. Some shipping lines have an office in Halifax where shippers can call to make the necessary arrangements and get further information. Please visit the Sailing Schedule for more information.
Typically agents act as a liaison between the shipper and the shipping line. Once you have answered the following four questions, you will be in a far better position to discuss rates and terms with either the freight forwarder or the agents.
How Do I Get My Shipment to the Port?
Usually, container lines provide suitable containers for the traffic offered for carriage. For the most part, the lines offer a Full Containerload service on a house-to-house basis whereby the container is stuffed by the shipper and stripped by the consignee. Where the line is required to stuff the container (pier-to-house) or strip the container (house-to-pier) or both (pier-to-pier) additional charges may apply. Limited Less than Containerload service is also available to some markets directly through the container lines, through freight forwarders, or in some cases, through trucking firms.
Typically, cargo arrives at the port via truck, rail, or in some cases, by ship and is then loaded onto another ship. The individual agents are able to give shippers further details as to how cargo can move from your location to the port. Drayage (intermediary transport) to Halifax Port Authority facilities, if required, is available through a number of trucking firms or by CN North America.
How Much Time Will it Take for My Shipment to Arrive?
Depending on the route the ship takes and the type of service the shipping line provides (express vs. regular), a wide variation exists in how long it will take your cargo to reach its destination. The individual agents are able to give you an estimated time of arrival for the ship. This site provides estimates as to the amount of time shipping typically takes. Please note that in all cases normal service patterns and transit times have been shown. Local weather conditions and conditions at the foreign port of discharge can affect this timing.
How Much Will it Cost?
The cost of shipping your cargo varies depending upon the type of handling and equipment required, weight and destination. Please contact the listed agents for an exact price quote.
How Often Do Ships Call at the Port of Halifax?
Each shipping line that regularly calls at Halifax keeps a different schedule. Some shipping lines call the Port on a weekly basis while others call biweekly, fortnightly or monthly. The agent for the line you choose can inform you as to when the next ship is due to load or discharge cargo in Halifax.
Publications of Interest
| Publication(s) | Address |
|---|---|
|
Industry Canada
770 Main Street P.O. Box 1210 Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 8P9 Tel: (506) 851-6400 |
|
Halifax Port Authority
P.O. Box 336 Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada B3J 2P6 Tel: (902) 426-2620
|
|
Industry Canada, International Trade Centre
P.O. Box 940, Station M 1801 Hollis Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2V9 Tel: (902) 426-7540 |
Useful Contacts
For beginners, InfoEx is a good starting point. In fact, many veteran exporters in search of specific information or guidance regularly call InfoEx, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's (DFAIT) export trade information centre. InfoEx acts as your instant guide to all of the export programs and services provided by the federal government.
A broad selection of export trade literature is available through InfoEx such as country guides, sectoral studies, specific market analysis, and a subscription to CanadExport, the Department's bi-weekly export news magazine that is available free of charge to export-oriented people across Canada.
InfoEx
Fax: (613) 996-9709
Toll free: (800) 267-8376
Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Tel: (800) 668-1010
Export Development Authority (Atlantic Region)
Export Development Authority1969 Upper Water Street
Suite 1410
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Tel: (902) 429-0426
Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Export Trade Information (Ottawa, Ontario)
Tel: (800) 267-8376
Industry Canada, International Trade Centre
Industry Canada, International Trade CentreP.O. Box 940, Station M
1801 Hollis Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 2V9
Tel: (902) 426-7540
Immigration Ships and Family History
The Halifax Port Authority does not maintain historic records for vessels, passengers, or crew that have used its facilities. If you are looking for immigration records or researching family history, please contact the Pier 21 Society, the National Archives of Canada and/or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
Port of Halifax Magazine
To obtain a free subscription to the Port of Halifax magazine, please send your contact information to publishers@metroguide.ca.
For Additional Information
For further information or to obtain an information package describing the services and facilities available at the Port of Halifax, please contact:
Business Development and Customer RelationsHalifax Port Authority
Ocean Terminals
P.O. Box 336
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada
B3J 2P6
Telephone: (902) 426-2620
Facsimile: (902) 426-7335
E-mail: info@portofhalifax.ca
