Port of Halifax
The first port in and last port out on our transatlantic rotation gives cargo the fastest launch across the Atlantic and exceptional rail connections to key U.S. Midwest markets.
The Port of Halifax is a cornerstone of Atlantic Container Line’s transatlantic service, offering strategic advantages that align with ACL’s commitment to reliability, speed, and customer-focused logistics.
Halifax RORO & Container Services
Strategic Location & Fast Inland Access
Halifax is the closest North American port to Europe, making it the ideal first port in and last port out for ACL’s transatlantic rotation. Its location enables fast rail service to key inland markets such as Chicago, Detroit, and St. Paul, with transit times as short as 4–7 days.
PSA Fairview Cove, Halifax, Nova Scotia – RORO & Container Operations
Container Terminal 6708, Bayne Street, Halifax, NS B3K 0A8
Terminal Capabilities & Equipment
Atlantic Container Line calls the PSA Halifax Atlantic Hub Terminal, which offers:
- 70 acres of terminal space
- 700 meters of berth length
- Capabilities for containers, RoRo, breakbulk, and heavy lift cargo
- Forklifts, reach stackers, and crane lift equipment
These features support ACL’s unique con/ro vessels and diverse cargo mix, including oversized and project cargo.
Hours of Operation
- LoLo: Mon – Fri 8 AM – 5 PM
- RoRo: Mon – Fri 8 AM – 12 PM & 1 PM – 4 PM
Truckers must be on terminal by 11 AM with appt.
Scheduled Closures
–
Container Availability North America
| Location | 20′ dry vans | 40′ high cubes | Specialized equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax, CA | ● Availability | ● Availability | ● Please call for availability |
| Montreal, CA | ● Please call for availability | ● Please call for availability | ● No availability |
| Toronto, CA | ● Availability | ● Please call for availability | ● No availability |
| New York, US | ● Availability | ● Availability | ● Please call for availability |
| Baltimore, US | ● Availability | ● Availability | ● Please call for availability |
| Norfolk, US | ● Please call for availability | ● Please call for availability | ● Please call for availability |
| Chicago, US | ● Availability | ● Please call for availability | ● Please call for availability |
| Detroit, US | ● Availability | ● Availability | ● No availability |
| as of January 19, 2026 | |||
RORO Contacts – PSA Fairview Cove, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Import truck loading and crane charges
Quotes prior to booking stage: PSA has an online form that customers need to fill out to obtain terminal handling fees for quotes.
For delivery appointments:
- Email, [email protected]
- Phone, (902) 453-4590 x115
For booked/arrived cargo:
Terminal hours 8. A.M. – 12 P.M. AST only
Rail Connectivity & CN Partnership
Halifax is a rail-line port, with 60% of cargo moving to and from inland destinations via CN Rail. ACL is the longest-standing container customer of CN Rail and the Port of Halifax, with a relationship dating back to 1967.
Guaranteed Berth Windows & Priority Handling
Atlantic Container Line enjoys guaranteed berth windows and priority over non-scheduled services at Halifax, ensuring consistent vessel operations and minimal delays. This reliability is critical for ACL’s weekly service model, which does not rely on alliances or blank sailings.
Operational Stability & Canadian Gateway Role
Despite occasional disruptions such as rail blockades or weather events, ACL continues to view Halifax as its Canadian home port, with over 50 years of continuous service. The port’s ability to accommodate diverted cargo during U.S. port strikes further reinforces its role as a stable and reliable gateway.
Local Engagement
ACL maintains a strong local presence in Halifax, including regular vessel calls, customer events, and terminal partnerships. The return of vessels like the Atlantic Star is celebrated with community engagement, reflecting ACL’s long-standing commitment to the region.
Halifax Schedules & Transit Times
Master Schedule A Service – Westbound
| Port | A Service |
|---|---|
| Hamburg | Sun–Mon |
| Wallhamn* | Mon–Mon |
| Antwerp | Wed–Thu |
| Liverpool | Sat–Sun |
| Belfast** | Thu–Thu |
| Dublin** | Fri–Fri |
| Halifax | Mon–Mon |
| New York PNCT & FAPS | Wed–Thu |
| Baltimore | Fri–Sat |
| Norfolk-NIT | Sun–Sun |
*RORO Service via AET **Container Service via dedicated weekly feeder vessel.
Master Schedule A Service – Eastbound
| Port | A Service |
|---|---|
| New York PNCT & FAPS | Wed–Thu |
| Baltimore | Fri–Sat |
| Norfolk-NIT | Sun–Sun |
| New York PNCT | Mon–Tue |
| Halifax | Wed–Thu |
| Liverpool | Wed–Thu |
| Antwerp | Wed–Thu |
| Hamburg | Sun–Mon |
| Belfast** | Thu–Thu |
| Dublin** | Fri–Fri |
**Container Service via dedicated weekly feeder vessel.
Transit Times A Service – Eastbound
| From ↓ | To Liverpool | To Dublin** | To Belfast** | To Hamburg | To Antwerp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax | 6 days | 11 days | 12 days | 10 days | 13 days |
| NY Container PNCT | 13 days | 18 days | 19 days | 17 days | 20 days |
| NY RORO FAPS | 13 days | – | – | 17 days | 20 days |
| Norfolk NIT | 10 days | 13 days | 14 days | 13 days | 16 days |
| Baltimore | 11 days | 15 days | 16 days | 14 days | 17 days |
Transit Times A Service – Westbound
| From ↓ | To Halifax | To New York | To Baltimore | To Norfolk NIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 8 days | 10 days | 12 days | 14 days |
| Belfast** | 13 days | 15 days | 18 days | 20 days |
| Dublin** | 10 days | 12 days | 15 days | 17 days |
| Antwerp | 11 days | 13 days | 15 days | 17 days |
| Hamburg | 14 days | 16 days | 18 days | 20 days |
| Wallhamn* | 20 days | 23 days | 25 days | 27 days |
*RORO Service via AET.
**Container Service via dedicated weekly feeder vessel.
West African Transhipment Service – Westbound
| From WAF City ↓ | To Halifax, CA |
|---|---|
| Abidjan | 34 days |
| Banjul | 26 days |
| Casablanca | 21 days |
| Conakry | 28 days |
| Cotonou | 26 days |
| Dakar | 22 days |
| Douala | 34 days |
| Freetown | 29 days |
| Lagos | 31 days |
| Libreville (RORO Service only) | 32 days |
| Lome | 26 days |
| Luanda | 34 days |
| Monrovia | 33 days |
| Pt. Noire | 31 days |
| Takoradi | 43 days |
| Tema | 26 days |
ACL acts as the General Agent for its Parent Company, Grimaldi Lines, in North America for its direct RORO/Container service between North America and West Africa.
Cut-offs Halifax – Eastbound
| Halifax, NS ETA Wed 18.00 | Docs | VGM | Cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container | 17.00 (EST), Fri. | 16.00 (EST), Mon. | 16.00 (EST), Tue. |
| Haz. DECS | 17.00 (EST), Fri. | – | 16.00 (EST), Mon. |
| Haz. Container | 17.00 (EST), Fri. | 16.00 (EST), Mon. | 16.00 (EST), Tue. |
| Cargo for RORO decks | 17.00 (EST), Fri. | – | 11.00 (EST), Mon. |
All cut offs above are at the port of load. Containers moving by rail will have earlier container receiving cut off at the inland rail terminal.
- Time: All Documentation/haz dec cut offs are prior to sailing.
- Docs: Final date and time for submitting Cargo Declaration Data to your ACL office for all eastbound shipments from North American ports. Haz Docs are always due prior to cargo delivery at the port or rail terminal.
- Cargo: Final date & time for receiving cargo at port of loading. Excludes used‐self propelled which are subject to US Customs rules and may need to be on terminal earlier.
Rail Cut-off – Eastbound
| Rail-Head | Port of Loading | Day | Time | Haz-Mat Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Norfolk | Friday | 17.00 | |
| Chicago | Baltimore | Friday | 10.00 | |
| Chicago | NYC (Croxton) | Tuesday | 14.00 | |
| Chicago | NYC (PNCT) | Thursday | 10.00 | |
| Chicago | Halifax | Thursday | 12.00 | 11.00 |
| Detroit | Halifax | Thursday | 15.00 | 14.00 |
| Toronto | Halifax | Friday | 20.00 | 16.00 |
| Montreal | Halifax | Friday | 20.00 | 16.00 |
Office in Halifax
Contact information
ACL Canadian Service Center
Address
3045 Robie Street, Suite 257,
Halifax, NS B3K 4P6
- Export (Toll Free/Direct): (800) 225-1235 / (757) 518-3800
- Import (Toll Free/Direct): (888) 802-0403 / (757) 518-3813
- Customer Service Export: [email protected]
- Export Rate Requests: [email protected]
- Customer Service Import: [email protected]
Halifax Surcharges & Accessorials
Import Demurrage & Detention
Import Demurrage Halifax
- Paid to: The terminal directly – Outside the carrier scope
- Free time: As per terminal terms and conditions
- Terms: As per terminal terms and conditions
Import Detention Halifax
- Paid to: The carrier
- Free time: Counting begins on day of discharge from vessel until empty return
- Terms: Business days. Once on detention – calendar days to count
| Equipment | Free days | Day 1–5 | Day 6+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry van, High cube, Open top, Flat rack | 6 business days | 50 CAD | 140 CAD |
| Reefer | 4 business days | 375 CAD | 375 CAD |
Import Demurrage / Rail storage
Chicago RR, Detroit RR, Montreal RR and Toronto RR.
- Paid to: The terminal directly – Outside the carrier scope
- Free time: As per terminal terms and conditions
- Terms: As per terminal terms and conditions
Import Detention
Chicago RR, Detroit RR, Montreal RR and Toronto RR.
- Paid to: The carrier
- Free time: Counting begins on 1st business day after arrival at rail terminal
- Terms: Business days. Once free time expires, detention is charged on calendar days.
| Equipment | Free days | Day 1+ |
|---|---|---|
| Dry van, High cube, Open top, Flat rack | 5 business days* | 140 USD |
| *Saturday & Sunday are considered business days since terminal is open |
Export Demurrage & Detention
Export Demurrage Halifax
- Paid to: The carrier
- Free time: Counting begins on day of receipt at the terminal until ERD (Early receiving date)
- Terms: Business days. Once free time expires, detention is charged on calendar days
| Equipment | Free days | Day 1–7 | Day 8+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft. Dry van & tanks | 5 business days | 50 USD | 75 USD |
| 40 ft. Dry van & HC | 5 business days | 50 USD | 75 USD |
| Flat rack, Open top | 5 business days | 50 USD | 75 USD |
| Reefer and temp controlled tanks | 2 business days | 115 USD | 175 USD |
Export Detention Halifax
- Paid to: The carrier
- Free time: Counting begins once the equipment is turned over to the custody of the shipper (excluding day of interchange)
- Terms: Business days. Once free time expires, detention is charged on calendar days
| Equipment | Free days | Day 1+ |
|---|---|---|
| Dry van, High cube, Open top, Flat rack | 7 business days | 140 USD |
| Reefer | 2 business days | 375 USD |
Export Demurrage / Rail storage
Chicago RR, Detroit RR, Montreal RR and Toronto RR.
- Paid to: The terminal directly – Outside the carrier scope
- Free time: As per terminal terms and conditions
- Terms: As per terminal terms and conditions
Export Detention, US & CA Rail ramps
Chicago RR, Detroit RR, Montreal RR and Toronto RR.
- Paid to: The carrier
- Free time: Counting begins once the equipment is turned over to the custody of the shipper (excluding day of interchange)
- Terms: Business days. Once free time expires, detention is charged on calendar days
| Equipment | Free days | Day 1+ |
|---|---|---|
| Dry van, High cube, Open top, Flat rack | 7 business days | 140 USD |
| Reefer | 2 business days | 375 USD |
See complete list of surcharges on the subpage linked below.
Canadian Hazardous Cargo Trucking/Rail Surcharge Eastbound & Westbound
| Surcharge | Mode | Rail Surcharge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax | 75 CAD | Door Move | – |
| Montreal | 200 CAD | Trucking, + | 125 CAD |
| Toronto | 125 CAD | Trucking, + | 125 CAD |
| Western Canada | 75 CAD | Trucking, + | 125 CAD |
Canadian Rail – Updating of Shipment Details
ACL routinely invoices correction fees to parties needing to modify their shipment details for cargo moving via rail through the port of Halifax, NS, Canada, Minor changes, such as weight, piece counts, and plan numbers will be assessed at USD 100.00 per update. More notable charges to the paperwork, such as updates relating to name changes, addition of consignees and route changes, will attract a higher fee of USD 185.00. Cancellation of rail service will be invoiced at USD 250.00. The above fees recoup the direct charges billed to the Carrier from the railroad, and offset internal administrative costs involved in coordinating these updates on a timely basis
CN Corrector Fee
Effective November 6, 2022, a fee of USD $165.00 will be assessed on cargo moving via the CN Rail, when documentation is incomplete or inaccurate. This is an increase from the current level of USD $100.00. See CN Terminal Decongestion Rules here.
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