The Use of Containers in Canada, 2006
This study, recently completed, examined the movement of empty containers across Canada, particularly into and out of the Prairie Provinces. There are many forces at work which are affecting the availability of empty containers across the country. Most notable is "equipment velocity", whereby ocean carriers need their equipment returned to Asia as quickly as possible. The rates prevailing on export cargoes are in many cases not sufficient incentive for carriers to reposition empties where shippers require them. Another factor is the railways desire to move large unit trains long distances and not break them up. A minor issue is that of cabotage, and the limitation of one incidental move back to the port of entry.

Economic and Social Impacts of Marine Atlantic Drop Trailer Service Elimination, (with Geoplan Opus), Transport Canada, 2005
This study was undertaken in the wake of a study called "A Strategy for the Future of Marine Atlantic" which recommended that drop trailer service be eliminated on the North Sydney-Port aux Basques ferry service. Opus and MariNova determined that there would be some economic dislocation from such a decision, that Newfoundland consumers would be impacted by higher prices for consumer goods, and exports would also be impacted. The proposed change was subsequently dropped. .

Short Sea Shipping Market Study, (with Geoplan Opus, Global Port Systems Inc. and Richard Hodgson), for Transport Development Centre, Transport Canada, Montreal, 2005.
This study examined the feasibility of operating a short sea container feeder service between Halifax and Hamilton. It concluded that the market existed for such a service, but that the 25% duty imposed on foreign vessels, very high pilotage charges in the St. Lawrence River and the necessity to operate year round in the Seaway made it technically challenging. A number of companies and individuals continue to examine the concept's feasibility.

Social and Economic Impact of Marine Atlantic Service, Transport Canada, (with Geoplan Opus), 2005
This study was commissioned to feed into "A Strategy for the Future of Marine Atlantic". It examined the social and economic importance of the service for residents, tourists, shippers and industry. The service is Newfoundland and Labrador's "lifeline".

Short Sea Shipping Market Study, 2005.
This study examined the feasibility of container feeder service between the ports of Halifax and Hamilton. It concluded that winter operations in the Seaway, the cost to import and Canadianize appropriate vessels, pilotage costs in the St. Lawrence and stevedoring charges at both ports, are significant obstacles to overcome, although there is plenty of interest from the market.

Greater Halifax Distribution Study, 2004
With a view to emulate the Port of Savannah, which has attracted a significant number of large Distribution Centres (DCs) and thus the cargo required to fill and distribute from those facilities, the GHP contracted MariNova to undertake an analysis of the potential to attract DCs to this region. It concluded that transloading cargo was more feasible because DCs tend to be located where there is population and retail activity. Transload also serves to balance eastbound domestic truck hauls with westbound import cargo, thereby leaving empty containers where they are required. Both the Canadian retail Shippers Association and Consolidated Fastfrate have since established transload operations in HRM.

"Port:Ability: A Private Sector Strategy for the Port of Halifax," Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, June 2001 (with Brian Lee Crowley and Charles Cirtwill).
Following on the heals of the Port of Halifax Maersk Sealand "superport" bid, MariNova provided background research for AIMS' port privatization study. For the past ten years the Port of Halifax's share of the North Atlantic container market has stagnated and within a generation, its ranking among world container ports has slipped from 33rd to 90th. Halifax faces the very real possibility of being marginalized as a container port. This paper pursues the options available to avoid this decline and concludes that a paradigm shift in thinking about the port of Halifax is needed.

Parrsboro Wharf Business Plan, 2001 [through ATi Consulting Corporation]
MariNova provided a market assessment for a small wharf located in northern Nova Scotia, as part of Transport Canada's ongoing divestiture process. A number of tourism-related options were presented to the client.

Mulgrave Forest Products Feasibility Study, Logistec Stevedoring Inc.,2000
As a follow-up to our previous work for the Strait of Canso SuperPort Corporation, MariNova contracted with a private stevedoring company to more closely examine the potential to develop a forest products terminal at Mulgrave, N.S.

Caribbean Shipping & Distribution Study, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing, 1999-2000
MariNova, in partnership with O'Halloran Campbell Consulting Engineers, Porter Dillon and T.L. Shipping Services Ltd. was awarded a contract to examine various aspects of shipping to and from Nova Scotia and the Caribbean.

Marketing Strategy for Port of Sydney, Nova Scotia, 1999-2000
As part of Transport Canada's port divestiture program, MariNova was contracted by O'Halloran Campbell to provide a Marketing Strategy for three marine terminals located in Sydney Harbour.

Halifax-New England / Halifax-New York Feeder Service Studies,[for Halifax Port Group Maersk / Sea-Land Superport Project], 1999
MariNova conducted an analysis of the feasibility of operating feeder services to both the New York and New England regions in support of the Maersk / Sea-Land superport bid. We concluded that operating a large feeder service to New York was both more cost effective and more timely than rail service. The result would have meant more container lifts for Halifax, making the overall project more viable. Likewise, there are a number of options to serve the New England market from Halifax.

Shelburne Wharf Divestiture Study and Operational Plan, 1999
MariNova provided a market assessment, concept plan and input to the business plan for two assignments related to the Shelburne wharf, which may be very relevant to the present study in terms of a warehousing, distribution facility to serve the Caribbean. In the past two years Shelburne has become a port of call for at least one small container carrier. We see considerable potential to develop additional business of this sort, particularly as the port has now established itself.

Digby Wharf Market Assessment [through Ati Consulting Corporation], 1999
MariNova provided another market assessment for a client which has proposed to take over the Digby wharf from Transport Canada. There may be some synergies which could be developed between the present project and Digby as well.

PEI Ports Market Assessment [through Enterprise Management Consultants], 1999
Similar to the above two assignments, MariNova also undertook a Market Assessment of all four PEI ports, including Summerside, Charlottetown, Georgetown and Souris. The PEI potato industry enjoys very strong markets throughout the Caribbean, in many of the markets targeted by Nova Scotia. We believe there are synergies and opportunities which could be developed jointly with PEI, and will suggest appropriate strategies.

Volvo Transportation Data, Greater Halifax Partnership, for [Mayor's Task Force],1999
MariNova gathered various data relating to sea, air, rail and road transportation to and from Halifax, as input to the Mayor's Volvo task force.

Sydport Offshore Supply Base and Fabrication Yard Study, ECBC, [through Porter Dillon], 1999
MariNova provided input relating to the development of offshore supply bases and fabrication yards at Sydport Industrial Park in Cape Breton. We concluded that offshore supply base activity would take place once drilling commences in either the Laurentian Channel and Basin, but that fabrication activity could take place at any time.

Analysis of Maersk / Sea-Land Superport Business Case, [for ACOA], 1998
MariNova assisted staff at ACOA in their evaluation of the Maersk / Sea-Land superport bid. We provided background knowledge about the container shipping industry as well as input into ACOA's response to the actual package.

Nova Scotia Transportation Strategy, [through Porter Dillon], 1998
MariNova provided background analysis and input for the Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning Transportation Strategy being developed for the department of transportation and Public Works.

Mulgrave Cargo Feasibility Analysis, 1998
For the Strait of Canso Superport Corporation, along with its partner, T.L. Shipping Services Ltd., MariNova Consulting undertook to identify potential cargo and revenue opportunities for the marine terminal in Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, The project included many interviews with existing and potential clients. MariNova was able to identify a viable project, with minimal risk, which would provide both a revenue stream and significant employment impacts.

Melford Point Industrial Port Study, 1998
With our partners Porter Dillon, MariNova provided an up to date analysis of recent trends in the container industry, for purposes of analyzing the potential for developing a container terminal at the Strait of Canso. Using our extensive range of industry contacts and 18 years of experience in the container shipping industry we provided a realistic assessment of both the opportunity and risks involved in a project of this magnitude.

Transport Canada CEAA Study, [through Porter Dillon], 1998
MariNova provided background information regarding the shipping industry in Eastern Canada, and conducted on-sight interviews with port management at several locations, regarding impending legislation which would affect the port-related environmental review process.

Greater Halifax Multi-Modal Study, 1996
After having written the terms of reference for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, MariNova acted as Project Manager for the Greater Halifax Multi-Modal Study, which was awarded to the foremost port consultants in the world, Booz Allen & Hamilton Inc. The project carried on over a six month period and involved extensive consultations with stakeholders, a steering committee, and the consultants themselves. The project concluded that there was no need for two airports in Halifax, and that the best use of Shearwater would be for a new generation of mega-container terminal to serve post-Panamax vessels.

Market Assessment of Strait of Canso Port Facilities, 1996
Through O'Halloran Campbell, MariNova undertook a Market Assessment of the marine terminal in Mulgrave, Nova Scotia as part of Transport Canada's Commercialization process, and the Strait of Canso SuperPort Corporation's due diligence in this respect. It was determined that there were very good short and medium term opportunities for Mulgrave, and that the port should pursue certain niche markets, as previous work had indicated that extremely attractive shipping rates were available from this port.

Transportation Study for a Wood Panel Manufacturing Facility, 1996
For Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, MariNova Consulting, along with T.L. Shipping Services Ltd., and Portability International [a division of O'Halloran Campbell], undertook to determine the costs of shipping manufactured wood panels from Mulgrave, Nova Scotia to a variety of North American and world-wide destinations.

Guatemala Ports Market Assessment, 1995
Through Marinpro Inc., and funded by CIDA, MariNova Consulting Ltd. undertook a market assessment of two ports in Guatemala, Santo Tomas de Castilla, on the Caribbean coast, and Puerto Quetzal, on the Pacific coast. We found the local shipping scene to be in a state of considerable flux, but catching the attention of major operators such as Maersk and Sea-Land. However, basic problems such as containers being highjacked between shipping terminals and their ultimate destination within Guatemala remained a basic and fundamental issue to be resolved.

Port of La Union, El Salvador Privatisation Study [through HHW Consultants for CIDA], 1993
MariNova's principal conducted a market assessment of the Port of La Union, El Salvador, located on the Gulf of Fonseca across from both Honduras and Nicaragua, on the Pacific Ocean. La Union is located in the region of El Salvador which was most affected by that country's civil war in the 1980s. We concluded that it had vast potential as a container port, ferry terminal, fishing port or ship repair facility.

Manager, Halifax-Boston Coastal Container Service, 1987-88
The principal of MariNova managed a coastal container service operating between Halifax and Boston. The service started as a result of a feasibility study which he co-authored, and efforts which were made to attract appropriate investors. It commenced operations with one customer, and within 12 months was breaking even, carrying transhipment cargo for 15 of the largest shipping lines in the world, while earning annual revenues of USD $6.5m. We were responsible for all aspects of the service, including marketing, operations and administration.

Port of Halifax Offshore Supply Base, 1981
The principal of MariNova conducted a site and market analysis for an offshore supply base in Halifax Harbour. Research included site visitations in Aberdeen, Scotland and Stavanger, Norway. The study resulted in the establishment of a supply base at Pier 9, Richmond terminal in Halifax, which has operated successfully for over 15 years.