The city of Saint John, in New Brunswick, Canada, spends at least six months a year with snow and an average temperature below 10 degrees Celsius. When the subject is economy, however, the situation is warmer. The city is boosted by tourism and by its traditional port, which is in expansion, and represents the third higher volume transported in the country. Port Saint John is also an excellent option to companies that engage in trade between Brazil and Canada, because it is closer to Latin America than, for example, the Port of Montreal.
The Port’s administration has identified Brazil, together with Mexico, as one of the most promising partners in the continent in order to develop its logistic projects. And that is how CCBC has entered the relationship map of the Canadian executives. “We looked for the Chamber because they are a known reference in business with Canada”, highlights John Kirkup, consultant in charge of promoting the rapprochement between the markets, and coordinator of the International Trade Committee of CCBC.
Opportunities have arisen from this relationship with the Chamber. For example, there have been two events with potential partners in CCBC’s headquarters, in September and November, with live broadcast in the format of a webinar to Canada. The country’s relationship with Brazil has gained a new impulse with the advances in the talks between the Canadian Government and Mercosul to create an area of free trade. In the first week of December, the Port also received an important mission of Brazilian importers.
The next seminar of the series called “New Frontiers” is scheduled for February 2019 and it will continue to highlight the advantages of bilateral trade and of the region of New Brunswick as a route of import and export.
The city of Saint John houses the headquarter of Irwing, the largest refinery in the country. It is not a coincidence that the product most commonly shipped is fuel, followed by potash, that is used in agriculture. In the same region, that has plenty of highway and rail infrastructure, there are McCain Foods units, the largest world producer of frozen potato, including French fries; and a True North Seafood unit, the fourth world biggest producer of salmon. Leading industries in New Brunswick include food and beverage, oil and energy, cybersecurity, financial services and fintechs.
Port goes through expansion of US$ 205 million
At about 100 kilometers from the USA border, the Port also serves the American market, without having to face the problem of water freezing. Every 12 months, more than 800 ships pass by Port Saint John, and in a four-year period, there has been a growth in the Port’s activities with the attraction of some of the biggest container transportation companies in the planet, such as the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM.
With the injection of US$ 205 million, the length of the wharf, where the ship docks, will go from 320 meters to 720 meters, allowing the passage of even larger ships. Port Saint John, that has a connection to 500 ports worldwide, will more than double its capacity to transfer goods – full amount of what boards and lands. The works are projected to be completed in 2023.
