March 9, 2021 – The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) and the longshore workers at the Port of Montreal represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are meeting again this week with mediators. Canaan Transport will keep apprised of developments and will publish any significant updates on this blog.
March 4, 2021 – As of March 15, food import transactions will automatically be rejected unless a valid Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence is entered in the Integrated Import Declaration (IID); a valid licence includes the food commodity(ies) that the licence holder intends to import. The CFIA has noticed some confusion around the types of foods that fall into the ‘Fresh fruits and vegetables’ and the ‘Processed fruits and vegetables’ commodities on the SFC licence application. The following link clarifies the differences between fresh and processed fruits and vegetables.
March 1, 2021 – Ocean carriers are preparing to roll out peak season surcharges (PSSs), some four months earlier than normal. Indeed, Hapag-Lloyd advised on February 25 it will implement a PSS of $875 per TEU between Asia and North Europe from March 1. The early introduction of a PSS on the trade is further evidence of the confidence that carriers have on their booking visibility into the second quarter.
February 24, 2021 – There is no relief in sight for ocean shippers looking for a downturn in rates on the Transpacific route, as spot prices have risen another 7% in the last week between China/East Asia and the North American West Coast. Volume flowing to the West Coast is expected to stay elevated in the coming weeks, with the forecast from the Port of Los Angeles showing volumes up nearly 503% YoY in the second week of March.
February 22, 2021 – Boeing 777 freighters will remain in the skies despite the recommendation to ground some B777 aircraft following a United Airlines engine failure on Saturday over Denver. Yesterday, Boeing said it “recommended suspending operations of the 69 in-service and 59 in-storage 777s powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines, until the FAA identifies the appropriate inspection protocol.” Only 777-200s and 777-300s are affected, and not all of those have the P&W engine type under scrutiny. 777 freighters are powered by GE90 engines.
February 19, 2021 – As many of our customers will recall, there was a strike at the Port of Montreal in August 2020 and your cargo was delayed for weeks, and in some cases well over a month, due to labour problems between CUPE Local 375 and the Maritime Employers Association. That 12-day strike only ended when the parties agreed to a 7-month truce, paving the way for Canada’s second largest port to reopen, and labour negotiations to re-start. As the truce expires on Mach 21st, 2021, the talks continue with the assistance of a new team of federal mediators. We do not have information about the status of negotiations, and whether further labour actions will be averted. Canaan Transport is currently urging our customers to contact us to identify potential options to minimize disruptions to your supply chain.
February 16, 2021 – Due to inclement weather, most of Ontario and Quebec will see delays in pick ups and deliveries as a result of poor road conditions due to the polar vortex. Our offices remain open with reduced staff due to Covid 19 restrictions.
February 15, 2021 – Contract rates as measured by the 23-year-old China (Export) Containerized Freight Index (CCFI) have risen faster than ever recorded putting containerlines on course to register improved profits this year, even over 2020’s stellar performance. However, latest data shows many shippers are balking at signing lengthy contracts now, willing to wait till the market cools. Many shippers are adopting a wait-and-see approach, keen to see rates level off before signing anything. Many large shippers have postponed their global RFQs or have walked away from the negotiation table after the first round. Canaan Transport continues to assist customers in their 2021 strategies for their freight bookings as changes continue to happen on a daily basis.
February 9, 2021 – Canaan Transport has learned the following details about ongoing negotiations between the Port of Montreal Longshoremen’s Union and the Maritime Employers Association. Both parties have received a letter from the Federal Minister of Labour asking for 14 days of blitz negotiations. The federal government has hired Peter Simpson as mediator. While the priority remains a signed collective agreement before the end of the truce on March 21st, in order to comply with the truce concluded on August 21st, 2020, the parties involved cannot comment on the negotiations.
February 8, 2021 – Ports in Myanmar remain open and customs clearances have resumed following the military coup, though airports remain closed, according to a report from the scattered reports in the country. There are no reported issues with the discharging of cargo; however, there may be delays on loading due to some warehouses being reportedly seized and closed, although there is no official information on these closures at this time. Airports have been shut down and all domestic and international flights are cancelled for the foreseeable future.