HALIFAX — The Port of Halifax is among three finalists to become the primary East Coast terminal for shipping giants Maersk and Sea-Land. The two other shortlisted ports are Baltimore and New York-New Jersey.

Maersk and Sealand are expect to make their final port selection in January or February.

The Port of Halifax was one of seven deep-water ports in North America asked to submit a proposal in May 1998.

The Port of Halifax is the first inbound port and the last outbound port on the North American continent, enabling the shortest ocean voyage for ships operating on the North Atlantic. It is also strategically located near major shipping lanes.

Currently, the port has two container terminals, a ro/ro facility, a gypsum terminal, oil docks, tallow tanks, and a grain elevator. Almost all piers have on-dock rail service, and the port’s rail partner, CN North America, offers double-stack and reefer service coast to coast.