As Canada’s Maritimes recovered from Dorian, the Port of Halifax resumed normal operations as it awaited a backlog of cargo vessels.
“It’s business as usual,” port spokesperson Lane Farguson said on Sept. 9.
Halifax, Canada’s fourth-busiest port by volume, resumed container terminal operations on Sept. 8 after its facilities emerged undamaged from the storm. The port’s online operations center listed 17 container ships that were 24 hours or more behind schedule and an additional three more than 12 hours behind.
While the reasons for the delays aren’t displayed, Farguson said most are likely connected with the storm.
Despite the disruption, no cargo vessels diverted to other ports, Ferguson said.
Relief efforts continue in Maritimes
Hundreds of thousands of people remained without power, primarily in Nova Scotia, as recovery efforts continued with the assistance of the Canadian Armed Forces. Soldiers worked to help clear roads, while motorists were advised to avoid driving if possible.
Authorities reported more than 500,000 power outages, as well as a countless number of trees uprooted and “serious coastal damage,” the Canadian Hurricane Centre said Sept. 8.
Dorian made landfall near Halifax as a post-hurricane system late on Sept. 7. It moved across Nova Scotia and then through Newfoundland.
But the storm could have been a lot worse, having strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane ahead of landfall.
“We got lucky,” said Jean-Marc Picard, executive director of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, which stood ready to help facilitate the movement of relief supplies. “We are fortunate, certainly.”
Picard will be speaking with provincial authorities in Nova Scotia this afternoon and plans to assist with finding carriers to move relief supplies if needed.
“A lot of them do it for free,” Picard said.
