Marine Forwarding

Port guide · UN/LOCODE CA HAL

Halifax, Canada

Canada · 44.65° N, 63.58° W

The World Port Index classes Halifax as a natural coastal harbor on the North Atlantic Ocean. It records a channel depth of 20.1 m and a cargo pier depth of 15.5 m. Norfolk is 1,380 km away in a straight line.

1,380 km from Norfolk, Virginia, in a straight line.
Channel depth
20.1 m
Cargo pier depth
15.5 m
Max vessel length
396 m
From Norfolk
1,380 kmGreat-circle distance
Nearest port guide
Liverpool (Brooklyn)110 km away

Depths and vessel limits

The index sets a maximum vessel length of 396 m and a maximum draft of 15 m.

Channel depth
20.1 m
Anchorage depth
12.5 m
Cargo pier depth
15.5 m
Oil terminal depth
14 m
Tidal range
2 m
Maximum vessel length
396 m
Maximum vessel beam
53.6 m
Maximum vessel draft
15 m

As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.

Facilities on record

Arrival and entry

Halifax is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.

First port of entry
Yes
Pilotage compulsory
Yes
Pilotage advisable
Yes
Tug assistance
Yes
Arrival notice (ETA message) required
Yes
Shelter afforded
Excellent
Entrance restricted by tide
No
Entrance restricted by swell
No
Entrance restricted by ice
No
Overhead limits
Yes

Cargo handling

Cargo facilities on record: container, ro-ro, breakbulk, solid bulk and liquid bulk. The heaviest lift class recorded is 100 tons and over.

Container
Yes
Ro-ro
Yes
Breakbulk
Yes
Solid bulk
Yes
Liquid bulk
Yes
Oil terminal
Yes
Wharves
Yes
Fixed cranes
Yes
Mobile cranes
Yes
Floating cranes
Yes
Lifts of 100 tons and over
Yes
Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
Yes
Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
Yes
Lifts up to 24 tons
Yes
Longshore labor
Yes
Railway
Large

Services and supplies

Repair capability is rated major.

Repairs
Major
Dry dock
Medium
Electrical repair
Yes
Fuel oil
Yes
Diesel oil
Yes
Potable water
Yes
Provisions
Yes
Deck supplies
Yes
Engine supplies
Yes
Shore electricity
Yes
Medical facilities
Yes
Dirty ballast disposal
Yes
Airport
Yes

US trade with Canada

US exports, 2025
$333.6BLed by machinery and mechanical appliances
US imports, 2025
$381.9BLed by mineral fuels and oils

Top goods, trade terms and port guides for Canada

Other ports in Canada

The nearest is Liverpool (Brooklyn), 110 km away in a straight line.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.