I have often said it was a matter of time before draft restrictions would eat into container volumes bound for Montreal, and it looks like that may have begun.

This Past weekend saw the first call of MSC Elma to PSA Halifax’s Atlantic Hub,on a new Service from MSC.

MSC has replaced its Boston Express Service with a New service, adding stops, and lengthening the route, while dropping Montreal. The new Ecuador – NWC (for North West Continent) Service consists of an eight week rotation from Antwerp with calls in Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Halifax, Boston, Freeport, Rodman (Balboa), Guayaquil, Puerto Bolivar, Guayaquil, Paita, Cristobal, Moin (Costa Rica) and back to Antwerp. Ships currently assigned to the service are all in the 8800+teu range. This past weekends caller, MSC Elma, features 1700 reefer plugs, which will be well used transporting South American fruits and Agricultural products.

The Boston Express Service used 4 ships, and sailed from Antwerp, calling on Bremerhaven, Boston, Montreal and back to Antwerp. These ships were in the 2500teu range.

The current size record for the Port of Montreal is the MSC Melissa, at 6730teu, which is 9300teu smaller then then the current Canadian record holder, CMA CGM Marco Polo.