Halifax (Nova Scotia Canada)

Halifax is a major port city and among Canada's most popular cruise ports of call on itineraries from the USA to New England. The city is also the capital of the Canadian province Nova Scotia (NS) - one of the "Canadian Maritimes" provinces, together with New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

The city's population is around 320,000 (metro over 400,000). Traditionally for Canada, official languages are English and French. The city is Halifax is among Canada's largest economic centres on the Atlantic Coast. Among its major employers / companies are the Port of Halifax, Halifax Shipyard, Department of National Defence, the universities of Dalhousie and St Mary's. The city's main resource industries are commercial fishing, agriculture, mining, forestry, natural gas extraction, also tourism. As premier Canadian tourist destination, the city attracts over 1,2 million visitors a year.

Port Halifax

The seaport is a natural deep waterway and officially known as Halifax Harbour (locode CAHAL).

Port Halifax generates 11,800+ local jobs and contributes USD 1,7+ billion to Canada's economy. Halifax is connected to 150+ international seaports. The Port has capacity to handle even the world's largest boxships (container carriers) and bulk cargo ships. Cruises are one of its 3 main businesses - together with cargo shipping and real estate.

The 1959-founded company Irving Shipbuilding Inc (subsidiary of J.D. Irving Ltd) has in Halifax Harbour a wide range of facilities serving shipbuilding and repairs, as well as pre-fabrication and vessel conversion projects. In May 2019, the shipyard was contracted by the Government of Canada to build two AOPS (Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships) for the Canadian Coast Guard: The shipbuilder also works with the Royal Navy to build country's newest CSCS (Canadian Surface Combatant Ships).

As cruise port, Halifax handles around 200 ship calls annually. Liners from the fleets of all major passenger shipping companies visit on roundtrips leaving from US East Coast homeports (mainly out of NYC New York and Boston MA).

In 2002, the port received two awards - “Most Receptive Port” (at Canada-New England Cruise Symposium Marketing Awards) and “Best Port Welcome” (by Dreamworld Cruise Destination Magazine). The traditional cruise passenger greeting includes live performance by 78th Highlanders Regiment of Foot (bagpipers band).

Statistics on season 2014 revealed that cruising industry's local economic impact is USD 104,3 million. This included tourist money spend in local shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, as well as the money from resupplying berthing cruise vessels. Locally provided supplies include wines, seafood, bathroom items.

In 2015, the cruise port received 141 ship calls and 222,309 passengers. In 2016 were handled 238,217 passengers and 136 ship calls. The busiest day (October 11, 2016) was 5-ship day. The increase in passengers was 7% (over 2015).

For season 2017 (April 24 - October 31), the port reported a record year in both ship calls (175) and passengers (292,722). Season 2017 featured 6 maiden calls, over 30 shore-power connections, 4 visits by Cunard's RMS Queen Mary 2 (maiden call on June 13th), Disney Magic (1 call on October 26). The busiest day (Sept 14) was 5-ship day, with over 11,000 passengers plus crew.

Season 2018 (April 22 through November 6) started with MS Fram (Hurtigruten). The seaport reported a record season with handled 198 ship calls and 316,869 passengers. Among season's highlights were 10 maiden port calls (including NCL's Norwegian Bliss on April 30) and 3x Disney Magic visits (September 17, 22, October 2). Port's busiest day was October 9 - a 5-ship day with over 11,000 passengers.

In 2018, the port joined TradeLens - developed by Maersk-IBM digital platform promoting global sharing of shipping trade information for reducing costs (and paperwork), improving productivity and security, increasing delivery speeds and providing transparency. This blockchain system integrates seaports, containership terminals, shippers and forwarding agents.

In 2018, Port Halifax cruise industry's annual economic impact was estimated at ~USD 123 million (a study based on 250,000 cruise ship passengers per year). The cruise port handled 198 ship calls and 300,000+ passengers. The busiest day was October 9 (5 liners with over 11,000 passengers).

On October 30, 2018, started berth extension works on South End Container Terminal, with planned completion in 2020-Q1. The South End Container Terminal extension project was completed and became fully operational in October 2020. Now South End Container Terminal has Eastern Canada's longest (800 m / 2625 ft continuous length) and deepest (16 m / 53 ft) containership berth. Also in 2020 was installed a new SPPX quay crane (Super Post-Panamax) bringing the seaport's total quay cranes to 5.

In January 2018, as containership port, Halifax reported a record year with containerized cargo shipping volume 559,242 TEU-containers, or 16% increase over 2016. The port's previous record was in 2005 (550,462 TEUs). The non-containerized cargo volume was 371,913 tons3. Port's total cargo tonnage in 2017 was 5,010735 million tons3 (or 12% increase over 2016). Cruise port's stats showed 173 ships (27% increase over 2016) and 292,722 passengers (23% increase).

For season 2019, the cruise port had scheduled 190 ship calls (berth bookings) with expected ~320,000 passengers. However, the season ended with handled 179 ship calls and 323,709 tourists/passengers plus crew (2,2% increase over 2018) and USD 166 million in economic activities, including from tourists (tours, shopping) and bunkering (fueling and food supplies for the vessels).

Following the Coronavirus crisis, during season 2022 (April 26th thru November 5th) the cruise port handled 152 ship calls, 13x 3-ship days, 3x 4-ship days, 1x 5-ship day, Port's ever-biggest liner (Oasis OTS/on June 7th).

 In 2023 the Port had scheduled a total of 191 cruise ship calls (of which handled 178, from 28 brand lines/companies) and estimated ~325,000 tourists (received ~301,000).

For 2024, the cruise port had booked a total of 203 ship berthings (including 11 maiden) and reported an increase in overnight port stays and visiting smaller-sized luxury ships. For summer 2024 (June-July-August) was reported a 36% increase in cruise calls (over summer 2023).

In March 2022 was announced that the container terminal PSA Halifax will be upgraded with 2x more (to 7x total) Super Post-Panamax STS (ship-to-shore gantry cranes) scheduled for delivery in 2023-Q1. The new Super cranes can serve the world's largest ULCVs (ultra-large container vessels).

Halifax cruise terminal

Halifax tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

• Halifax Harbour: the most popular way to explore the harbour is the Murphy’s signature Harbour Hopper tour.
• Canadian Museum of Immigration: located at Pier 21, a National Historic Site. It is the only national museum in Atlantic Canada.
• The Living Halifax Citadel: National Historic Site. The Citadel was built in the period 1828-1856. The naval station is in the middle of the city and has the shape of a star. You can explore the museum alone or join costumed animators for a guided tour.
• Alexander Keith’s Brewery: India Pale Ale is one of the world’s oldest beers. It’s been produced since 1820 and is know as the unofficial brew of Nova Scotia. Tour the brewery and taste the original ale at Keith’s Brewery.
• Public Gardens: one of the formal Victorian Public Gardens is located next to the Spring Garden Road’s shops and spread over 17 acres. The gardens are beautiful city centerpiece with their amazing rare flowers and tree. There are also historic statuary and fountains. You can also enjoy free performances.
• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic: discover the legend of Titanic in the interactive exhibit.