Atlantica

There was a lot of interest in what James Foote, CN's executive VP, had to say about the rail business in Eastern Canada at a luncheon hosted by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. CN is the only rail line connecting the Port of Halifax with the rest of North America's rail grid; a crucial mode of transportation in making any port and corridor a success. His talk highlighted some of the challenges the region faces at a time when future trade flows through the Suez Canal from Asia are likely to put additional pressure along East Coast ports and connecting rail services.

The recent inaugural conference of the Southeastern United States -Canada Alliance, shows that the economic relationship linking the Atlantica region to those beyond is growing.

New liquified natural gas terminal in Nova Scotia that would serve Canadian and US natural gas markets starting in 2011 demonstrates Atlantica's ability to attract international energy investments.

Former Primier of New Brunswick Frank McKenna outlined several strategies that the Atlantica region should take to successfully seize opportunities in global markets and attract shipping through the Atlantic Gateway.

Comments by Frank McKenna stress that success in the Atlantica region will mean finding ways to transport more efficiently. The former New Brunswick Premier says that with the present state of affairs in the global shipping trade, the time has come for the ports along the East Coast to develop a joint strategy rather than going it alone.

Al Soppitt, President and CEO of Saint John Port Authority, outlined the port's role in linking North American markets with those in Latin America.

A Mexican delegation's attendance at the Maritime Lumber Bureau's annual convention in Halifax highlights links between the Atlantica region and markets further south in North America.