Halifax port reaches out to Panama, China

   Earlier this month the Halifax Port Authority became the first Canadian port to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Panama Canal Authority. 
   The document spells out how the two parties will cooperate to identify common business opportunities, exchange information and undertake joint marketing initiatives.
   The Panama Canal Authority has similar arrangements with many U.S. ports, primarily on the East and Gulf coasts. The arrangements have increased in frequency in recent years in conjunction with the expansion of the Panama Canal to accommodate much larger vessels, as ports try to align their infrastructure and services to future cargo flows from Asia.
   Meanwhile, officials from the Halifax port and Halifax Stanfield International Airport were in Shanghai, China, to promote Halifax as an East Coast gateway for trade and travelers, the Halifax Port Authority said.
   Almost half the port’s cargo originates in Asia. Both the port and airport are working to increase traffic from Asia.
   The trade mission included businesses from Nova Scotia and involved the Canada China Business Council.