News release

Halifax on Maersk/Sea-Land Terminal Short List

Premier's Office

The Halifax Port Group, comprising representatives from the Halifax Port Corp., the Province of Nova Scotia and Halifax Regional Municipality, is pleased to announce that Halifax is a finalist for the Maersk/Sea-Land terminal.

"It's official," said Premier Russell MacLellan. "We received confirmation today, from Maersk and Sea-Land, that Halifax is one of three ports on the East Coast in the running. We're establishing ourselves in the big leagues to serve as a base of eastern operations for these major shipping corporations."

"Making this short list means we have cleared another hurdle in the selection process," stated David Bellefontaine, president and CEO of the Halifax Port Corp. "It proves that the Rockingham site, as the preferred location, is ranked highly by Maersk and Sea-Land as having the attributes necessary for their operation."

"This decision by two of the world's greatest shipping lines shows the strength of Halifax's potential as a global shipping centre," said Mayor Walter Fitzgerald of the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Said Finance Minister Don Downe: "Getting this far is a tribute to how well everybody has worked together on this project. We believe Halifax will ultimately become a winner because it makes economic sense for Maersk/Sea-Land as well as their customers in Canada and the United States."

Halifax was one of seven ports in North America, and the only one in Canada, asked by Maersk and Sea-Land to submit a proposal in May. The other six were: New York-New Jersey, Norfolk, Va., Quonset Point, R.I., Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston. The three finalist are Halifax, New York/New Jersey and Baltimore.

Maersk and Sea-Land are two of the largest container lines in the world and operate a worldwide alliance. The carriers expect to make their final port selection early in the new year.


ngr Dec. 10, 198 4:28 p.m.