In mid-2004, the Canadian Retail Shippers Association (CRSA) set up Halifax as an east-coast shipping hub due to labour conflicts in Vancouver.
According to the February 23 Toronto Star article Port eyes boost from Asian traffic, cargo landing in Halifax from Asia can be shipped inland via rail or truck, or shipped down the St. Lawrence Seaway via lake ships to ports in Toronto and Hamilton.
In the past most international trade goods destined for Canada arrived in Vancouver. In addition to labour disputes, Vancouver's port has grown increasingly congested with traffic from China.
Comprised of 12 of Canada's largest retailers including Sears, Sony and Reitmans, the CRSA wants the Port of Halifax to focus on trade from another thriving economy, India. A ship travelling from India through the Suez Canal arrives in Halifax takes about half the time required to travel east across the Pacific Ocean to any port on North America's west coast.
Because the shipping route to Halifax is shorter, there will be less damage to products and reduced handling costs. The risk of shipping through the Suez Canal was downplayed, partly because that area is regularly patrolled by Canadian and American naval forces on the lookout for terrorists.
To promote its trade advantages, Port of Halifax has introduced its first-ever offices outside Canada in the Indian cities of Mumbai and New Delhi.
Canadian ports like Halifax, Toronto and Hamilton will require increased efficiency, skills and business-friendly policies as we described in our article about the world's leading port, Singapore. Otherwise Canada will once again be left behind in the super-competitive arena of international trade.
