Northern Expansion of Atlantic Hub Container Terminal (NEXT)

Company Profile

The Halifax Port Authority is a strategic port manager responsible for developing and managing the Port of Halifax, one of Canada’s most important international gateways. Established under the Canada Marine Act, the organization operates on a commercial, financially self-sufficient basis and manages key federal port lands, assets and infrastructure that support cargo, cruise, logistics, real estate and marine operations.

Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the port provides year-round, deep-water access with minimal tides and direct connections to more than 150 countries. It serves as a first inbound, last outbound North American gateway for transatlantic, Suez and global trade routes, with modern container terminals, breakbulk facilities, cruise assets and integrated rail connections to major inland markets.

Working with terminal operators, supply chain partners, government and community stakeholders, the Halifax Port Authority helps attract and retain cargo and cruise activity while advancing safe, efficient and resilient port operations. The Port of Halifax generates significant economic benefits for Nova Scotia and Canada, supporting trade diversification, supply chain competitiveness, employment and long-term regional growth.
 

Project Profile

The NEXT Project is one of Canada’s most compelling, construction-ready trade infrastructure investment opportunities. With environmental approvals substantially in place, first-basin infill approximately 75% complete, and engineering and design well advanced, NEXT offers investors a rare opportunity to participate in a scalable, lower-risk expansion at a proven global gateway.
The project positions Halifax to capture accelerating demand for modern, deepwater berthing space required by larger vessels on North American trade routes. As the only Canadian East Coast port able to receive ultra-large vessels above 12K TEUs, Halifax provides a strategic alternative to congested gateways and a direct platform for serving Europe, the Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent via the Suez Canal.

NEXT will add a 500-metre deep-water berth, enabling two ultra-large vessels to call simultaneously, and expand yard capacity from 570K to 1.3M TEUs, including capacity for vessels above 20K TEUs. With vessels above 12K TEUs projected to represent 55% of global fleet capacity by 2027, the project is strongly aligned with market growth, trade diversification and long-term volume expansion.
Supported by investments in a new Container Examination Facility, expanded rail capacity and improved terminal connectivity, NEXT is positioned to generate resilient cash flows through increased volume, strengthen Canada’s non-U.S. trade agenda, and attract global shipping activity.

Investment Highlights

• Growing containerized trade opportunity supported by deep-water terminal capacity, transatlantic and global routing advantages, and long-term demand for resilient East Coast gateway capacity.
• Intermodal connectivity: Direct on-dock and near-dock rail connectivity, integrated terminal operations and inland market access through established rail corridors serving Atlantic Canada, Central Canada and beyond.
• Deep-water: Halifax offers year-round deep-water access with minimal tidal restrictions and capacity to accommodate large container vessels.
• Seasonality: Year-round marine operations with no seasonal closure, supporting predictable and reliable service for container, cargo and intermodal supply chains.
• Brownfield expansion and optimization of existing port and terminal infrastructure, reducing delivery risk and leveraging established marine, rail and land-side assets.
• Agreements in place or leases and concessions: To be confirmed through final commercial structure; opportunity exists to align terminal, rail, public funding and strategic partnership arrangements.

Investor Snapshot

Project Sector: Marine and port infrastructure; rail-connected container terminal expansion.

Current Stage: Investment-ready strategic infrastructure opportunity advancing through planning, partnership development and funding alignment.

Capital Costs: To be confirmed through final scope, design and funding structure.

Internal Rate of Return (IRR): To be determined based on project financing, operating assumptions and partnership model.

Seeking Investment: Public and private investment, strategic partners, project finance and potential Indigenous partnership participation.

Key Attributes: Deep-water, year-round gateway; direct rail connectivity; brownfield expansion opportunity; strong alignment with trade diversification, supply chain resilience and national corridor competitiveness.

Investor Value Proposition: The project supports long-term container growth, larger vessel calls, improved port-rail fluidity and expanded market access through a reliable East Coast gateway serving Atlantic Canada, Central Canada and global trade routes.