The Port of Halifax and CN have jointly hired Ajay Kumar Singh as their representative in Mumbai, India, effective October 1. Singh will help to market the Port of Halifax as a gateway to North America using CN's rail network.
"The hiring of Ajay will give the port and CN increased commercial presence in Southeast Asia," said George Malec, Vice-President of Business Development and Operations for the Halifax Port Authority. "The increased market intelligence should help us secure more traffic from this highly dynamic part of the world economy."
CN earlier this year established a representative in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and has longstanding representation in Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo. CN also has people in Beijing, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, where Lonny Kubas, CN's general manager, Asia, is based.
The Port of Halifax has had a dedicated business development manager in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for four years and this existing representative will work closely with CN's new representative.
The Port of Halifax's percentage of cargo activity with Asia has grown in recent years, surpassing Europe as the largest source of traffic. Currently, 45 per cent of all cargo moved through Halifax originates from or is destined for Asia. CN's direct involvement in Halifax's business development in India and Vietnam is a positive step toward advancing the port's opportunity in Asia even further.
"CN is pleased to be working closely with the Port of Halifax on this market outreach," said Keith Reardon, CN Vice-President, Intermodal Services. "Together we hope to improve the effectiveness of our customers' supply chains and in turn draw more business over the port and CN's North American rail network."
