Diversions damage New York

The Port of New York and New Jersey are most affected by the diversion of container ships to Canada because of fear of ships grounding due to silt-clogged channels, a study says.

However, with its improved rail connections to the Midwest and Canada, the port could recapture much of the lost business once deeper channels were opened, the study said.

The diversions cost North Atlantic ports about 251 jobs and US$44 million in lost personal income and business sales. The New York Shipping Association reported that 100,000 containers were lost to Halifax, Nova Scotia, last year, or 10 per cent of its annual volume.