The shipping industry along the east coast of North America is evolving at a tremendous pace. Cargo ships are getting bigger, and global shipping alliances are focusing on ports that can accommodate ultra-class vessels. The window of opportunity to create space to berth and service multiple ultra-class vessels is closing as global shipping alliances set their service patterns for the next 18 months. In Halifax, we are already receiving vessels over 10,000 TEU, 350 meters length overall, and we are preparing for vessels approaching 14,000 TEU or 400 meters length overall.
To continue to be competitive in the global shipping industry, the Port of Halifax needs the capacity to berth and service at least two ultra-class ships simultaneously.
The Halifax Port Authority is moving forward with a temporary extension of an existing berth, with work taking place throughout 2019 while planning for a permanent berth expansion continues. This will provide the infrastructure required to berth and service two ultra-class vessels simultaneously.
Data sharing and digitization of key information is another consideration the global shipping industry is coming to accept. In partnership with our terminal operators and rail provider, the Halifax Port Authority is pursuing new analytics technologies and applying this to key performance indicators like container dwell time and truck time waits at terminal gates. This information is now posted live to the Port of Halifax operations center online.
We will continue to focus on digitizing key data to transform the Halifax Port Authority into a digital organization that can handle the most recent industry changes with flexibility, agility, and resilience, while taking steps to further develop our physical infrastructure to ensure the Port of Halifax can continue to berth and service the biggest ships calling on the east coast of North America.