Nova Scotia, Delaware ports sign port deal as dredging wins eco-clearance

THE ports of Philadelphia and Delaware have formed an alliance with a group planning to build a large container port at Sydney, Nova Scotia, called Sydport which will target Asia-Suez traffic.

The project's main obstacle remains the shallow entrance to Sydney harbour, reports The Canadian Press. A proposed C$35-million (US$34.07 million) dredging has yet to be fully funded.

Sydney Marine Group (SMG) is planning a US$200 million deepwater container terminal to accommodate megaships from Asia via Suez and then provide big ship feeder services to US east coast ports.

"Big ships will arrive at Sydney, discharge cargo that will be loaded onto smaller vessels [4,000 to 6,000 TEU] and move into key US markets via ports on the Delaware River," said SMG chairman Jim Wooder.

SMG said the memorandum of understanding was also signed by the International Longshoreman's Association, Ports of Delaware River Marine Trade Association and the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority.

SMG said environmental assessment approvals, often the biggest hurdle in such projects, have been received for both dredging and terminal construction, and that the bidding process will get underway later this month to dredge the channel to the terminal.

ILA vice president Jim Paylor said one of the main arguments for Sydney's shipping potential is its location as the first mainland North American port of call for vessels transiting the Suez Canal.

Source: www.schednet.com