April 18, 2024, Halifax, Nova Scotia – Cargo and cruise delivered a solid year in 2023 at the Port of Halifax.
“We welcomed more than 100 Ultra-Class vessels, and saw a return in cruise visits, but like other Canadian ports and ports around the world, we continue to navigate the effects of inflation, general consumer and economic weakness and geopolitical challenges that impact containerized cargo,” said Paul MacIsaac, Senior Vice-President, Port of Halifax.
As a full-service, diversified port, the range of business in Halifax including cargo, cruise, breakbulk, real estate and other activities helped to balance outcomes for the year.

Highlights for 2023 at the Port include:
• Containerized cargo volumes total 546,163 TEU, a level consistent within a ~5-year average range
• 107 Ultra-Class container vessel calls (10,000 TEU or greater)
• Total cargo tonnage 9,860,031 MT
• 178 cruise vessel calls in 2023, welcoming more than 300,000 cruise guests

“We worked with our partners to achieve solid results in 2023 and I’m proud of the work by everyone on our team at the Port to deliver exceptional service once again,” MacIsaac said. “With our partners at PSA Halifax, CN Rail, labour and trucking, and the framework set out in our 50-Year Plan, Halifax is well-positioned to capture opportunities as economies recover around the world, and to demonstrate the importance of planning for sustainability in all aspects of operations.”

Looking ahead to 2024, investment will continue in projects such as the extension at Ocean Terminals to provide more yard space for container operations at PSA, consolidation of breakbulk business at Richmond Terminals and the exploration of sustainable cruise ship expansion to Dartmouth that complements the surrounding community.
Port of Halifax fast facts:

• The Port is a regional economic driver, generating approximately $4.9 billion in activity annually and supporting more than 25,000 jobs
• We connect to more than 150 countries and welcome the largest container ships on the Eastern Seaboard
• Cargo arriving and leaving through Halifax serves large population centres in Central Canada and the U.S. Midwest
• Currently operating at about 50% of our 1.2M TEU capacity, our 50-Year Plan shows how capacity can grow and be efficiently accommodated within the existing Port footprint
• Marquee cruise destination - about 90% of all cruise vessels visiting Atlantic Canada include a stop in Halifax
About the Port of Halifax

Offering a natural, deep harbour and big ship infrastructure, Halifax can meet the needs of today’s shipping, cargo, and cruise operations, while building for the future with our focus on the three key pillars of community, economics, and environment. Collaborating and working with strong partners and stakeholders, sustainability is built into every facet of the Port and how we operate. To learn more about Canada’s preferred Atlantic gateway, visit www.portofhalifax.ca. We are One Port City.

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Lori MacLean
Halifax Port Authority
(902) 209-7170
[email protected]

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