The project’s primary purpose is to allow the terminal to simultaneously berth and service two full-sized post-Panamax vessels. The project involves d eepening the berth to a depth of 16 metres from 14.5 metres and extending the berth to ensure that the terminal, and the Port of Halifax, remain competitive in attracting containerized cargo.
“This $35 million dollar infrastructure project is significant as it means that the Port of Halifax will remain competitive by offering multiple berths that are the deepest on the Eastern Seaboard of North America,” said Karen Oldfield, President and CEO of the Halifax Port Authority. “The Port of Halifax can today handle the largest ships afloat and this investment will ensure we can compete for all size vessels as a gateway for trade.”
The South End Container Terminal site was chosen 40 years ago as the first common-user container terminal in Canada for its geographic location with unrestricted access from the Atlantic Ocean. This year also marks the 10th year that the terminal is post-Panamax ready, with two cranes that are capable of handling post-Panamax ships.
The South End Container Terminal is operated by Halterm Container Terminal Limited. The Halifax Port Authority administers the terminal land as landlord.
The HPA has invested over $100 million in cargo-related Port infrastructure in the past five years and plans to invest over $225 million over the next five years. In addition, the private sector has invested over $250 million in port-related infrastructure in the past five years.
