Province Supports Shipping Service Between Halifax and New England

The province is helping Nova Scotia businesses find new ways to ship their product, and increase the competitive advantage of the Port of Halifax, with a $500,000 loan guarantee to American Feeder Lines International.

The province announced the investment today, April 5, to support the company's weekly shipping service from Halifax to Boston and Portland.

"Strong transportation links are the key for exporting our products to international markets, and for economic growth," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "This investment will create good jobs and help to make Nova Scotia businesses be more competitive, and that's what jobsHere is all about."

This investment supports up to 40 direct and indirect jobs, and is designed to compete for a share of the global supply chain with New England estimated to be roughly 240,000 containers a year that are now moving by truck or rail through other North American ports. Capturing a piece of this market represents a tremendous business opportunity.

"American Feeder Lines International truly appreciates this support from Nova Scotia and the Port of Halifax in our endeavour to serve the Canadian and New England market," said Floyd Long, company director of Finance. "Our weekly service provides fast transit times and connects with direct routes serving Asia and Europe, resulting in additional container volume both today and tomorrow."

Working in partnership with the Halifax Port Authority, this additional trade route into the New England market further strengthens the Port of Halifax's position as a strategic entry and exit point for goods going to and from North America.

"This loan guarantee will ensure American Feeder Lines has the financing available to aggressively market their service which is an important trade link between Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada and New England," said Paul MacIsaac, senior vice president of the Halifax Port Authority.

The Nova Scotia Jobs Fund pursues investment opportunities for communities in transition, industry sectors, regional support, small businesses programs, infrastructure and large industrial ventures.