Canada’s East Coast Ports Target Increased Maritime Trade

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By Leo Ryan, American Journal of Transportation Sep 01, 2015

Amidst an uncertain global environment, Canadian ports on the East Coast are pursuing a capacity expansion strategy to increase business and to potentially offer alternatives, in some cases, to lingering congestion issues at US ports on the eastern seaboard as well as on the West Coast.

Ports relying most on general cargo, notably Montreal and Halifax, are enjoying favourable trends in container activity. On the other hand, the recent plunge in commodity prices and fears of a deeper slowdown in China, the world’s primary driver of commodity demand, have hammered such bulk ports as Quebec and Sept-Iles on the St. Lawrence River.

In related developments, federal support for several large port projects was announced in recent weeks by a Conservative government seeking a return to power in a national election being held on October 19.

Although the Canadian economy showed virtually no growth in the first half of this year, partly due to the domino effect of depressed oil prices, the outlook was improving as fall approached and exports were showing a marked rebound thanks to robust demand from the United States and thanks to a weak Canadian dollar (hovering around 76 US cents) spurring sales abroad.

Read Full Article on American Journal of Transportation »