Proximity to Market
Unparalleled Access to Markets Worldwide
Pictou County is less than two hours via highway from Halifax and Moncton and less than 2 hours by air from Montreal, 2 hours from Boston, 2.5 hours from Toronto and New York, less than 4 hours from Chicago and 6 hours from London.
The location of Pictou County in the centre of Nova Scotia provides access and proximity to a number of major regional, inter-provincial and national transportation routes and facilities.
Its strategic geographical locat ion combined with unique trade links under NAFTA, WTO and APEC, means our location provides unparalleled access to the world's richest and most dynamic markets in America, Asia and Europe.
Access to the World's Richest Market
Through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada lies at the heart of the largest trading block in the world:
- 337 million people
- combined GDP of almost $15 trillion US
- Distances to markets are short
- Nova Scotia is 2 hours by air from Boston, New York or Toronto
- Rapid rail access to US Mid-West
- Direct container access
The Atlantic Gateway
The Atlantic Gateway Initiative is working to position Nova Scotia as a pivotal link in the global transportation system. Port capacity and proximity to market means that Nova Scotia can service increasing demand efficiently. In addition to existing port infrastructure in Halifax, The Melford Terminal is a new, privately-funded, deep-water container terminal and logistics park on the Strait of Canso, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. The location is linked to ports on the Great Lakes via rail, road and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Many North American ports are at capacity and unable to meet the rising cargo handling demands due to the growth of imports to the region. The route from the Suez Canal to the Strait of Canso, where Melford is located, is also the most time and fuel-efficient route for the Asia-Pacific marketplace to reach North America. European shippers will also find that the Melford location has the ability to quickly handle cargo, allowing for the best use of resources when sending goods into North America.
The $300 million container handling facility on the mainland side of the Strait of Canso in Nova Scotia on Canada's East Coast will begin to operate by late 2010 and, when fully operational in 2013, will handle up to 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year.
Pictou County is less than two hours via highway and enjoys direct access to this port via rail, road and the Northumberland Strait.
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Transportation Infrastructure (Highway, Air, Rail, Port)
Transportation Services (Bus, Passenger Rail, Ferry)