The economies of all four Atlantic Provinces rely, to varying degrees, on the marine environment. Many people are involved in commercial fishing and the industry continues to play a vital role in the region’s economy. The rise of offshore oil and gas exploration and development is changing the marine landscape, creating many new economic opportunities but not without its load of safety challenges.

Atlantic Canada plays an increasingly important role in the transportation of cargo using the marine mode. The Straight of Canso Superport, Saint John and Placentia Bay handle a significant volume of bulk cargo, mainly crude oil. This explains why their total tonnage is higher than the ports of Halifax and Saint John's, which handle more diversified cargo.

The Port of Halifax is the primary port for the movement of containerized freight and is ranked third in Canada. The region’s three main commercial ports, Saint John, Halifax and St. John’s together handle approximately 38 million tonnes of cargo a year.

Cruise ship activity has grown significantly over the past decade and is becoming an important contributor to the Atlantic Region’s economy. While Halifax and Saint John continue to represent the greatest portion of the activity, other ports of call are also seeing significant growth. The Atlantic Canada Cruise Association estimated that in 2002, cruise passengers and crew spent $26.0 million in Atlantic Canada. In 2004, cruise ships brought over 460,000 passengers and almost $39 million to Atlantic Canada.

Related Links

Atlantic Pilotage Authority
Atlantic Canada Cruise Association
Marine Services On-line
Ferry Services
Local Marine Weather