New funding to drive development of Halifax-Hamburg green shipping corridor

The Halifax Port Authority has been awarded funding of up to C$22.5 million (about $15.7 million) from Transport Canada to accelerate the development of the Halifax-Hamburg green shipping corridor and prepare the port for the fuels and energy sources of the future.

Illustration. Image Courtesy: Port of Halifax

On February 5, 2025, Anita Anand, the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, unveiled the total investment of up to C$25 million for the Halifax Port Authority of which C$22.5 million will be used under the Green Shipping Corridor Program and the remainder of C$2.5 million for the Ship to Shore Crane Infrastructure project under the National Trade Corridors funds.

As informed, the funding will help boost the development of the low-carbon shipping corridor by preparing the port to host and potentially refuel alternative fuel-powered vessels; establishing a hydrogen production facility; electrifying port equipment to reduce emission; and acquiring an electric rail locomotive and launching an incentive program to shift freight traffic from road to rail.

In addition, the C$2.5 million will be used to relieve supply chain congestion, expand terminal capacity and increase speed and efficiency when servicing larger vessels at the Port of Halifax.

“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. Together, we’re building a sustainable future for transportation, while supporting jobs and driving economic growth in Nova Scotia and beyond,” Anand commented.

“Transport Canada’s Green Corridor investment will help to competitively position the Port of Halifax for the future. 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. For all funded activities we will work with our port partners. We want to thank Transport Canada for supporting our project and investing in the power of partnerships with us,”Fulvio Fracassi, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority, said.

“The Port of Halifax is a powerhouse for our municipality, our province, our region, and our country. This investment will help streamline operations, electrify the port to cut emissions, and prepare for alternative fuel-powered vessels — ensuring the Port continues to modernize, grow, and provide good jobs here at home,”Darren Fisher, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, pointed out.

The funding builds on existing work at the Port of Halifax including the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Port of Hamburg. Back in September 2022, the two ports joined hands on decarbonizing the shipping corridor between Halifax and Hamburg.

Ports of Halifax and Hamburg forge ties on hydrogen, green energy corridor

Ports & Logistics

Back then, the duo said it aimed to focus on developing port infrastructure for bunkering and exporting green hydrogen and derivatives in the Port of Halifax and related infrastructure for bunkering and importing green hydrogen and derivatives in the Port of Hamburg.

In late 2023, the Canadian government launched the Green Shipping Corridor Program which provides funding for projects that contribute to the establishment of green shipping corridors and the decarbonization of the marine sector along the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as Canada’s East and West Coasts.