Atlantic Container Line (ACL) has decided to maintain its twice weekly call at Halifax with its new G4 RORO/Containerships. ACL will continue to serve the North American and European markets at the Fairview Cove Container Terminal of Ceres Halifax Inc. ACL and Ceres have signed a new contract that runs through 2022.

Andrew Abbott, President/CEO of Atlantic Container Line commented, “We value our long-term working relationships with the Halifax Port Authority and Ceres. We looked long and hard at various schedule alternatives for our new ships. Some excluded Halifax. But we just could not ignore the close cooperation and support of the HPA and Ceres that removed every obstacle to a long-term agreement. The quality improvements to the CN Rail service and the consistent cooperation of our ILA colleagues were also influential factors in our decision. As a result of this, all the stakeholders of the port will benefit, as ACL volume via Halifax will eventually double as all of our new ships enter service. ACL looks forward to a long future in Halifax with our large, new, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly G4 vessels. The Port of Halifax will now remain our largest port in North America, and our gateway for Canada and the US Midwest.”

“ACL has been a very important partner throughout the years,” said Calvin Whidden, President, Ceres Halifax Inc. “With the signing of this new agreement, we will now focus on working together to grow cargo volume.” “This is very positive news for all of the key players involved in reaching
this new contract,” said Karen Oldfield, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority. “We offer our
congratulations to ACL and Ceres-Halifax, and would like to acknowledge the level of commitment shown by CN Rail throughout this process. We look forward to continuing to welcome the next generation of ACL vessels to the Port of Halifax.”

Atlantic Container Line has been continuously calling the Port of Halifax since 1970 following the inaugural call of the ACL G1 vessel Atlantic Starin 1969.In January of this year, the Port of Halifax welcomed the newest Atlantic Star which is the first of the five new G-4 ACL CONRO vessels, and was named by a ACL Halifax Staffer.