May 26, 2021 – The Port of Yantian said it will stop taking in loaded containers as congestion at the export hub in Southern China increases. The restriction was implemented from 2200 hrs local time on May 25 to 2359 hrs on May 27 and will be partly lifted afterwards only for export boxes with their vessels expected to arrive at the port within the next four days. Pickups of import or empty containers, however, will still be allowed over the period. “The serious delay in ship schedule has led to extremely high density at Yantian’s storage yard and has severely affected the operational efficiency at terminals,” a port statement said.
May 25, 2021 – As of today, the CARM Client Portal is open for business. This does not mean that you need to register immediately, but it will be open and ready when you are set to register.
To set up your account, you will need to know:
• The 9-digit BN and importer RM extension registered to your legal entity;
• The exact corporate name and complete address;
• The answers to 2 of 3 following affinity questions:
1. What is the transaction number and total duties and taxes of one of your recent transactions? This is a recent transaction for the RM importer account that you are using to register your account.
2. What is the exact value of your most recent payment? This is the most recent payment for your RM importer account that you are using to register your account.
3. What is the balance of your last statement of account? This is the last statement of account for your RM importer account that you are using to register your account.
You need to enter only one importer RM extension when registering your business. If there are any other RM accounts registered to the same 9-digit BN, they will automatically populate and be displayed on the portal under the BN9 account. If you require assistance from the CBSA, you can contact the CARM Client Support Helpdesk (CCSH) by completing the web contact form available directly on the portal, or by calling 1-800-461-9999, menu Option 2 – Business Importation/Exportation, Option 6 – CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management. The CCSH has indicated that their service standards are 2 business days for straightforward questions and 10 business days for more complicated financial information, but they will endeavour to answer more quickly.
May 17, 2021 – Hapag-Lloyd has just announced a $3,000 per 40ft GRI on Asia to the US and Canada services from June 15. A year ago, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index U.S. west coast component stood at $1,686 per 40ft – 12 months on, and shippers are paying up to $14,000 to ship the same cargo on the same route in the same ships. Typically, quotes for the route, after inclusion of equipment and space guarantees, are near $10,000, with some carriers wanting up to $14,000 for an early June shipment. Even some BCOs that have signed new annual contracts with carriers are reported to be scrambling to get their products shipped as the lines foll back on start dates and volume commitments in favour of abundant lucrative spot and short-term business.
May 10, 2021 – Ocean carriers are said to be preparing big increases in short-term rates as cargo-rolling becomes the norm. On the transpacific, carriers are ‘sold out’ for the rest of May and into June, with last week’s spot rate increases from Asia to the U.S. west and east coasts described by one shipper as “academic.” For the transpacific tradelane, last week’s FBX recorded a 3.5% increase for Asia to the U.S. west coast, to $5,015 per 40ft, and a 5.5% uplift to spot rates for the east coast, to $6,584 per 40ft. And there is no let-up in sight in the demand for imports from Asia, the U.S. National Retail Federation predicting that the restocking of low inventory levels by retailers will continue for several more months and into the peak season.
May 1, 2021 – As expected, the Senate adopted Bill C-29, the Port of Montreal Operations Act, Friday night and the legislation received Royal Assent. Now that the port is open again, they will begin to work on the delays in availability of your Import Cargo scheduled to arrive at the Port of Montreal and for your Export Cargo previously scheduled to depart from the Port of Montreal. Cost Recovery measures may be necessary to cover any/all additional charges resulting from the congestion and increased dwell times at the port. Diversion fees may also apply if/when carriers divert Vessels. Canaan Transport Group Incorporated welcomes the return to work and looks forward to a final resolution to this matter.
April 29, 2021 – The House of Commons approved legislation early Thursday morning to put an end to the strike that has shut down one of Canada’s busiest ports Conservatives joined forces with the minority Liberal government early Thursday morning to pass Bill C-29 by a vote of 255-61. Three Liberals, as well as Bloc Quebecois, NDP and Green MPs, voted against it. The bill is aimed at quickly reopening the Port of Montreal, where the flow of millions of tonnes of goods came to halt after 1,150 dockworkers began a strike Monday morning. It must still be passed by the Senate, which is scheduled to deal with the bill Friday.
April 28, 2021 – Federal Labour Minister Filomena Tassi has tabled back-to-work legislation for the Port of Montreal’s 1,150 dock workers, who have been on strike since Monday morning. The legislation, debated yesterday afternoon, would require employees to return to work after the bill passes. It would also extend their previous collective agreement until a new one is negotiated. The legislation would also prevent any strikes or lockouts until a new agreement is signed and impose a mediator-arbitrator on both parties if negotiations fail again. Shortly before 4 pm, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole issued a statement, saying his party would support the back-to-work legislation.
April 27, 2021 – Further to the strike declared by the CUPE 375 union, Montreal Gateway Terminals Partnership (MGT , Section 62, Section 77) issued the following customer advisory:
Trucking service will remain closed until further notice. Note that, as commercial consideration to shippers and receivers, terminal storage on import and export storage will be suspended for the duration of the closures resulting from this strike. Given the uncertainty of the operational impacts this strike will have to MGT’s organization post-strike, priority loading updates will be closed until further notice, as will the rerouting of cargo from rail to truck for grounded units, only. For units that have not yet arrived, MGT strongly urges customers to make necessary routing corrections prior to vessel arrival. It also encourages customers to contact their shipping lines for information regarding MGT’s ERS program for containers moving by rail. Once operations resume, MGT will work with its partners to limit the duration of the impacts related to this strike.
April 26, 2021 – On Sunday, the Government of Canada issued a Notice Paper indicating that it will introduce a bill, entitled “An Act to provide for the resumption and continuation of operations at the Port of Montreal,” this morning. The notice identifies a process that will avoid some of the usual legislative steps to ensure a quick response to the labour situation. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is calling for swift passage of the legislation. Things are moving swiftly to avoid a tragic delay at the Port of Montreal. The mediator has called for meetings today with both the MEA And the union. Carriers have begun contingency plans to move cargo and ships for increased costs. Customers are advised that most terminals will be closed for all truck and rail traffic for the forseeable future.
April 23, 2021 – The Longshoremen’s union has given 72 hour notice to the Maritime Employers Association that as of April 26 at 7:00 a.m. the union will be in a legal strike position. All work performed by the union members at the port will cease except for Oceanex services protected as essential.