Airports

Seafood propels Halifax Stanfield to new cargo heights

Canadian gateway Halifax International Airport recorded an 8.5 per cent rise in cargo volumes for 2018 as rising seafood exports propelled figures.

The Nova Scotian airport said exports of live lobster – continues to grow in China, Europe and the United States.

In 2018, Halifax seafood represented a significant portion of the record 36,938 tonnes of cargo processed which marked the fifth consecutive year of cargo volume growth.

Halifax International Airport Authority chief commercial officer, Bert van der Stege said: “Similar to passenger travel, we continue to see the cargo side of our operations expand, resulting in multiple daily dedicated cargo flights filled with Nova Scotia exports now flying out of Halifax Stanfield.

“We work closely with suppliers, shippers and airlines year-round to enable the global export of goods directly from Nova Scotia to destination markets, meaning more people are able to enjoy our world-class quality seafood and other products.”

In recognition of the increasing global demand for Nova Scotia exports, Halifax Stanfield will begin construction of a new Air Cargo Logistics Park this year that is slated to open in late 2020/early 2021.

This new facility will enhance transportation infrastructure; support the flow of goods and improve cargo handling; enhance trade for the province and region; expand international capacity to foster exports; and, create jobs.

At a total value of C$36 million, Halifax Stanfield was able to move the project forward with funding support from the federal and provincial governments at $18 million and $5 million respectively, in addition to its own investment of $13 million.

Buoyed by the ratification of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), demand for Nova Scotia exports continues to grow in Europe.

Carriers such as Cargojet, with its weekly flight from Halifax Stanfield to Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany, moves seafood exports – as well as specialised electronics and machinery – to points in Europe and beyond.

Overall, air cargo exports contribute an impressive $447.1 million to the provincial economy. Live lobster exports and demand for these ocean delicacies continues to flourish, especially in Asia and Europe.

Lobster is the largest single commodity shipped by both value and volume, at $215.7 million and 11,495 metric tonnes respectively. Total seafood export value equates to $232 million.

Several other key commodities exported from Halifax Stanfield include specialized electronics/electrical equipment ($70 million) and aerospace-related business (approximately $58 million). Exports account for 36.5 per cent of total cargo volume processed at Halifax Stanfield.

At Halifax Stanfield, air cargo is transported by First Catch, Skylease Cargo, Cargojet, and Korean Air Cargo, along with FedEx, Air Canada, Atlas, Suparna Airlines, WestJet and Qatar Airways, offering connections to China and multiple global destinations.

“The growing air freight cargo lift from Halifax Stanfield is extremely encouraging for Atlantic Canadian companies looking to export internationally,” said Tangier Lobster Company managing director, Stewart Lamont. “When it comes to flights, infrastructure and specialized human resources, we now have critical mass and that’s good news for everyone involved.”

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