NOVIA SCOTIA's Port of Halifax has handled the Hapag-Lloyd's 7,506-TEU Berlin Express, one of the larger ships in the industry, due to the Canadian government's port investment of C$52.5 million (US$55.5 million) which allows for handling the world's largest ships simultaneously. 

The Berlin Express, one of three operated by Hapag-Lloyd in this class size, is the largest TEU container vessel to call at Halifax and on the Atlantic coast of Canada and boasts 700 reefer plugs, and is 100,000 dwt and 320 metres long. It is in the G6 Alliance's AZX service between Asia and North America via Suez. 

The Port of Halifax and Ceres Terminal are the first inbound call from Asia. This new service provides Canadian companies with direct access between the growth markets inAsia for both dry and temperature control cargo. Asia is the fastest growing segment of the containerised business for the Port of Halifax.

Hapag-Lloyd has been a customer of the Port of Halifax since 1969. Hapag-Lloyd's Canadian management recently received the Port's high volume award for 2012. This was Hapag-Lloyd's 15th consecutive year as the top volume carrier.

The Government of Canada is committed to working with the private sector partners to help position the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor as a key entry point into North America. Under the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund, Canada is investing more than C$250 million in transportation infrastructure projects supporting the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor.

The Port of Halifax and the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor are the shortest all-water and intermodal inland route between North America and markets in Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal.