Maritime Symposium 2008

Program at a Glance

In recognition of World Maritime Day (WMD) 2008, Transport Canada Safety and Security hosted a Maritime Symposium at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel from November 16 to 18. The event focused on a number of areas of our work with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) such as safety, security, environmental protection, Arctic development and liability issues. In particular, the Symposium served as a forum for generating Canadian input to the IMO.

The overview of the Symposium program follows. To view the detailed program, please select this link.

Sunday, November 16

In the late afternoon, participants attended a pre-symposium welcome reception to meet and network with fellow attendees as well as visit the various exhibits.

Monday, November 17

The Maritime Symposium was opened by senior departmental officials and a representative from the IMO. Sessions throughout the day focused on issues related to marine safety, security and environmental sustainability.

The day culminated with a Dinner Event.

Tuesday, November 18

Sessions focused on the expansion of the Arctic to accommodate industrial development, and liability issues regarding wreck removal and hazardous noxious substances.

Following the closing luncheon, the Port of Halifax hosted a trip to its Fairview Cove Container Terminal. This terminal is one of two state-of-the-art container terminals at the Port of Halifax. It is located in the Bedford Basin immediately adjacent to CN’s main rail yards in Fairview and Rockingham. Since opening in 1982, the capacity of the Fairview Cove Container Terminal has doubled with further expansion capabilities still available on land and water. Operated by Cerescorp Company, Fairview Cove Container Terminal offers full-service 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Recent investments at Ceres include two new super-post-panamax cranes; new yard cranes and top lifters to handle containers in the yard; doubling of the rail track on the terminal to accommodate additional traffic; additional reefer plugs; and a new state-of-the-art truck handling facility.