The Basics of Marine Shipping
The decision to transport your export products can be an intensive process with decisions to be made about which mode of transportation to chose, the use of transportation companies and freight forwarders, knowing how to complete proper customs documentation, insuring your product during transport, the overall cost of transporting your product and the impact these decisions will have on your ability to sell in the intended marketplace.
Today we look specifically at marine shipping and the resources available for NS companies to understanding marine shipping better. Transporting products by sea has typically been for large items, bulk commodities and items that do not require fast delivery. Shipping by sea was an economical alternative to other modes of transportation, however with the increase in trade with Asian countries marine shipping has become a cost and time effective way of transporting goods to the North American consumer markets.
With ocean freight, your goods are shipped in 20 foot and 40 foot containers or in crates if your goods are oversized. There are minimum weight requirements and the container charge will be less if you are able to fill one completely. If you don’t have a full container load, your can lower your cost by "piggy backing" onto another partial shipment. There are companies now offering Less then Load shipping options for smaller companies wishing to ship products.
When preparing to ship a product overseas for the first time, the exporter needs to be aware of packing, labeling, documentation, and insurance requirements to ensure a timely delivery and satisfied customers. When exporting for the first time it is essential to make sure all shipping requirements have been met both in Canada and in the destination you are shipping to. It is important that your shipment meet all the proper collection standards and is insured against damage, loss and pilferage and, in some cases delay.
Because of the variety of considerations involved in the physical export process, many exporters, both new and experienced, rely on an international freight forwarder to perform these services. Freight forwarders specialize in handling and shipping goods to foreign countries. They can provide estimates of transportation and shipping costs as well as inform you of other costs associated with shipping your product to foreign markets. Examples of their services include: negotiating and arranging the best method of transport for your product to get to the target market, coordinating the movement of your goods to their destination, preparing the necessary paperwork, providing advice on packing, labeling and marking of goods and arranging for warehouse storage and cargo insurance.
Halifax Port Authority
The Port of Halifax is approaching 40 years in the containerized cargo business as a “discretionary” port (Discretionary ports are those that handle goods destined for other markets outside of their local area). In Halifax, the majority of containers go to inland markets by rail or truck. In Halifax, only 22% of the containers handled are for Atlantic Canadian consumption. This means that the Port of Halifax primarily competes for cargo based on the cost and time to deliver product by rail, road or short-sea shipping to their final destination. Thousands of Port jobs exist because our Port connects importers to North American population centres and provides exporters with direct access to global markets.
Halifax has built a diverse cargo business over time. Sixteen shipping lines currently call the Port of Halifax. Cargo moves through our Port from thirteen regions of the world.
Quick Facts about the Port of Halifax Canada's Atlantic Gateway to the World:
• Halifax has one of the deepest and largest natural harbours in the world
• Ice-free year round and minimal tides
• Economic impact of almost $700 million
• Employment impact of over 15,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs
• Strategically located on the Great Circle Route
• Most easterly North American full-service container port
• First inbound, last outbound port to North America from Europe and the Med./Suez
• Serving major lines on transatlantic, Suez and pendulum routings including: Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia/Indian Subcontinent and the Far East
• Port of Halifax serves more mainline global container services to more continents than any other Canadian Port
• Vessels as large as 5,888 TEU currently call Halifax and we are able to accommodate the world’s largest container ship
• Two container terminals:
1. Fairview Cove Container Terminal (Operated by Cerescorp/NYK Limited) -
70 acres, 6 cranes (3 Super post-Panamax)/2 berths
2. South End Container Terminal (Operated by Halterm Container Terminal Limited) -
72 acres, 6 cranes (2 Super post-Panamax)/3 berths
• CN provides daily double-stack train departures from Halifax to Montreal, Toronto and Chicago
• 24-hour policing
The Halifax Port Authority’s December 2007 Stakeholder Report shows a number of new developments at the Port this year including:
• Record investments on cargo infrastructure including two super post-Panamax cranes purchased by Cerescorp/NYK for the Fairview Cove Container Terminal.
• Premier Rodney MacDonald and the Honourable Peter MacKay expressed provincial and federal support for the Atlantic Gateway. An important step in trade and transportation being on the public agenda.
• Eimskip and Europe West Indies Line (EWL) began calling Halifax in 2007. EWL connects shippers to the Caribbean and markets in Europe. Eimskip connects shippers to Iceland
• Target markets, such as the Indian Subcontinent, increase volumes over Halifax. Business development efforts with India included an inbound trade mission in June 2007
• OOCL now has the largest post-Panamax ships calling Halifax with the introduction of the M/V Oakland and the M/V Italy to its service. Halifax can handle the largest container ships afloat.
• Another strong cruise season with 176,000 passengers with homeporting building momentum.
The Halifax Port Authority is a key player in marine services to the exporting and importing community.
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