UN/LOCODE CAHAL · Canada · IMO-designated crew-change hub
Halifax is one of 115 ports named in IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1636 as a designated crew-change hub. Ports made the list on the basis of accessible international airports, established agent networks, welfare-centre infrastructure, and — during the pandemic — visa-facilitation frameworks that allowed sign-on and sign-off crew to transit without lengthy quarantine. That combination continues to make these ports the practical corridors most seafarers move through today.
Nearest major airport for crew changes is Halifax / Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), roughly 27 km from the port. Confirm the exact terminal handover point with the ship's agent — many hubs have multiple terminals with different immigration processes.
Halifax is Canada's east-coast principal container hub. Standard Canadian shore leave — many nationalities need Canadian visitor visa or eTA. Mission to Seafarers Halifax operates on-site + Stella Maris coordinates.