Geography of Melford Terminal
Naturally Perfect
At a sailing speed of 20-22 nautical miles, Melford will be about: 6-7 hours closer to Europe than Halifax; 30 hours closer than New York; and 50 hours closer than Savannah or Charleston.
The M/S Emma Maersk ushered in a new generation of ultra large containerships - and as ships continue to grow, they push the limits of the existing ports on the North American East Coast.
When Melford International Terminal opens in 2011, it will easily handle the largest containerships in the world today and those on the drawing boards of tomorrow.
About The Strait of Canso
- A major petroleum transshipment port for the U.S. East Coast; handling in excess of 25 million tonnes of petroleum products annually.
- An ice-free, sheltered port that enables vessel to vessel transfers from mother ships.
- Easily accommodates ultra large crude carriers (ULCC). The controlling draft in the main channel is 28m (92 feet).
- Canada's second largest tonnage port.
- No overhead or under keel clearance issues; no bridges, no air draft restrictions, no waiting on tides. Just smooth sailing in and smooth sailing out.
Geographic Advantages
When complete, Melford will be the closest North American deep-water mainland port to Europe, Asia and the Indian Sub-continent (via the Suez Canal). Transatlantic and Suez routings will reduce voyage transit times and fuel consumption by using the Melford gateway to Canada and the United States.