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.
February 3, 2021 – Spot rates on the transpacific trade lane remain stratospheric. Liners are cancelling voyages this month due to the port crunch on the U.S. west coast, pushing even more volume to the months after Chinese New Year. It now appears spot rates will remain strong all the way through the second quarter. They may ebb from current highs, but they almost certainly won’t crash. This is exactly the scenario U.S. importers feared. They will have to negotiate their annual contracts – which generally expire by May 1 – in the midst of a spot-rate boom.
January 31, 2021 – Now that E-manifest filings have been enacted in Canada for all goods inbound into the country via any mode of transport, we are now seeing widespread adoption by our customers, shippers, and competitors. We continue to encourage our customers to advise us if they have any questions on this new legislation that was 6 years in the making by sending us an email to emanifest. We remain ready to assist with any shipments that are not yet compliant. As previously communicated, the current transition period allows for zero rated penalties but enforcement has already begun. Readers are encouraged to sign up to receive our newsletter for more detailed information.
January 25, 2021 – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said Thursday one in six, or about 181,000, Canadian small business owners are now seriously contemplating closing. The latest figures, based on a survey of the CFIB’s members done between Jan. 12 and 16, come on top of 58,000 businesses that became inactive in 2020. Based on the organization’s updated forecast, more than 2.4 million people could be out of work – a staggering 20 percent of private-sector jobs.
January 21, 2021 – As a result of continued congestion in the Toronto area, many trucking companies are now instituting companies a Terminal Waiting Time Fee and an Inability to Return Empty Container Fee. Canaan Transport continues to work with both our trucking partners and our customers to ensure that services provided are fairly compensated.
January 20, 2021 – Currently, importers of meat, fish, dairy, eggs, processed eggs, processed fruits or vegetables, honey, maple and fresh fruits or vegetables are required to hold a valid Safe Food for Canadians licence (SFC licence) to import food into Canada. As of March 15, 2021, food import transactions will automatically be rejected unless a valid SFC licence is entered in the Integrated Import Declaration (IID). If a transaction is rejected, the SFC licence holder may experience delays and have their related food shipment(s) held at the border until the error is addressed and the import transaction is resubmitted. The information regarding the SFC licence must:
• be declared correctly, without mistakes or typos
• cover the activity of "Importing Food"
• cover the food commodity or commodities you intend to import
January 18, 2021 – Cargojet announced this week it had raised C$350m (US$275.2m) to help it acquire five 767 and two 777 freighters for delivery from this year into 2023. It will also invest in a new hangar and additional land-based infrastructure and pay off debt, it said. This is in addition to Air Canada’s announcement to convert two of its 767-300ER aircraft into full freighters. These should be ready by the end of 2021.