Halifax Port announces strategy to improve efficiencies

HALIFAX — With marine ports in fierce competition for rising shipping volumes, key players at the Port of Halifax are taking steps to ensure their productivity and efficiency.

CN Rail, the Halifax Port Authority (HPA), Cerescorp Company Limited, and Halterm Container Terminal Limited have developed a new strategy to measure and align their individual performances in the Halifax Gateway supply chain.

The agreement, announced today, establishes clear and defined performance standards for moving goods quickly through the Port of Halifax, into and out of the Ontario, Quebec, and the U.S. Midwest markets.

According to a release issued today, times for unloading and loading containers between vessels and cars, the timing of the placement of rail cars at the terminals, and CN transit times to key markets in eastern and central Canada and the U.S. Midwest, will be closely monitored and evaluated.

"I am very encouraged that key stakeholders at the Port of Halifax have agreed to work collaboratively on this initiative," says Claude Mongeau, CN president and CEO. "This supply-chain agreement will align the parties’ interests in executing to plan, and support quality service to improve the competitiveness of the Halifax Gateway. This innovative pact will foster balanced accountability of each supply-chain partner and ensure data on performance will be fully transparent."

The agreement between CN, HPA and terminal operators was described as "ground-breaking" by Karen Oldfield, president and CEO of the HPA.

"It will help build on the port’s already strong competitive position as an East Coast North American trade gateway," she said.