Submission to Canada Marine Act Review Panel


September 18, 2002



Introduction:

The Halifax Shipping Association is an organization representing the various ocean carriers, shipping agents, stevedoring companies, terminal operators and other users and service providers involved with the shipping trade at the Port of Halifax. The HSA's thirty-seven member companies encompass all aspects of commercial port activity at Halifax, including container, general and bulk cargoes, as well as the cruise ship sector. 

The Port of Halifax is a strong economic generator for this region creating approximately 9000 jobs. Businesses located in this region have access to markets literally around the world. Halifax is a deep water, ice free port able to accommodate the largest ships afloat.

Over 100 passenger vessels are schedule to call Halifax in 2003 bringing over 160,000 guests to Halifax and for many a first visit to Canada.

Pilotage: 

The present system of Atlantic Pilotage Authority Board appointments, which consist of a chairperson, two pilot representatives, two shipping industry representatives and two community representatives, is further complicated in the Atlantic Pilotage Authority by the board also consisting of two members from Nova Scotia, two members from New Brunswick, two members from Newfoundland, and one member from Prince Edward Island. As a result of this mix, there has been no shipping industry representative, on the APA board, from the Port of Halifax, since 1994. During this time we have seen the APA figures for the Port of Halifax go from a profit to a deficit. 

The APA receives significant revenue from the users of the Port of Halifax. The Port of Halifax has the largest volume of pilot moves and the most number of pilots in Atlantic Canada but has little or no say in the Atlantic Pilotage Authority. 

The Halifax Shipping Association believes that consideration should be given to having a shipping industry representative from Halifax on the board of the Atlantic Pilotage Authority at all times.

Ports:

The Halifax Shipping Association believes that a strong and competitive port must be able to invest in infrastructure and provide the level of service that is expected in today's marketplace. We believe that ports should have sufficient access to capital in order to upgrade terminal facilities, handling capabilities, and the corresponding need for more flexibility in their administrative structures. The present borrowing limit for the Port of Halifax of $25 million as set out in the letters patent seems to be inadequate in the view of present infrastructure cost. 

We would therefore recommend that that borrowing limits for Canada Port Corporations be determined by commercial lending institutions so that sufficient funds could be attained to properly develop their ports.

We have read the submissions from the Halifax Port Authority and from the Province of Nova Scotia and also agree with their recommendations within the scope of the Port of Halifax.

Members:

Atlantic Container Line
Atlantic Pilotage Authority
Atship Services Limited
Autoport Limited
Canada Steamship Lines
Canadian National Railway
Cerescorp Company
China Ocean Shipping (Canada) Inc.
Eastern Canada towing Limited
Emera Energy (NS Power Inc.)
Furncan Marine Limited
F.K. Warren Limited
Fabco Industries
Halifax Offshore Terminal Services Inc.
Halifax Port Authority
Halifax Shipyard
Halterm Limited
Hapag–Lloyd (Canada) Inc.
Holmes Maritime
I.H. Mathers & Son Ltd.
Imperial Oil Limited
Karlsen Shipping Co Ltd
Logistec Stevedoring Inc.
Montship Inc
National Gypsum (Canada) Ltd
Nortec Marine Agencies Inc.
Nova Scotia Economic Development
NYK Line (Canada) Inc.
Oceanex (1997) Inc.
Protos Shipping Limited
Seabridge International Shipping
Secunda Marine
Silvers Agencies Ltd.
SPM Marine International Inc.
Transport Canada
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines
Zim Container Service