Federal government invests $25M to expand Halifax port operations

CITYnews halifax / By Dan Ahlstrand

Canada’s government level says it will spend up to $25 million to improve supply chain efficiency and environmental sustainability at the Port of Halifax.

Transport Minister Anita Anand announced in the provincial capital on Wednesday that $22.5 million of the funding was allocated under the Green Shipping Corridor Program.

“Our ports are essential to global trade and to Canada’s economy. By investing in green shipping corridors, supply chain infrastructure, and clean technologies, we’re taking decisive action to reduce emissions,” the minister said.

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The funding will support the Halifax-Hamburg green shipping corridor by preparing the port for alternative fuel-powered vessels, establishing a hydrogen production facility, electrifying port equipment, and acquiring an electric rail locomotive to shift freight from road to rail.

Anand also said an additional $2.5 million from the National Trade Corridors Fund will go toward the Ship to Shore Crane Infrastructure project, which aims to reduce congestion and increase capacity.

“Transport Canada’s Green Corridor investment will help to competitively position the Port of Halifax for the future,” Fulvio Fracassi President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority, said. “Around the world, there is interest to decarbonize shipping. The awarded funding will help fund feasibility work, assessments, new equipment and workforce development here at the Port.”

In 2022 the province legislated an overall goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 53 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The plan includes 68 measures, including a pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity by 90 per cent by 2035 and to reduce home heating oil use by at least 20 per cent by 2030.