July 7, 2023 – It appears that the port strike could last until at least the weekend with no news from either side despite some strong rhetoric in the media. At this time, we are advising customers who are looking to export shipments to consider the alternate ports of Montreal and Halifax. Customers with import cargoes are urged to wait and see for one more week to see if the port strike is resolved. We will update further on this blog with any new developments.
July 4, 2023 – Now entering the 4th day of the strike, Canaan Transport wanted to update its readers on the latest situation specifically at the Port of Vancouver. The port authority is taking proactive measures to manage vessel arrivals and anchorage assignments to maintain port fluidity, ensure the safe movement of vessels and manage anchorage capacity for terminals not affected by strike activity. The following operational procedures are in place during labour action:
- Inner Harbour: Maximum stay of 48 hours will be strictly enforced, and assignment will be limited to bunkering, fumigation, staging area or emergency situations.
- English Bay and Indian Arm: The maximum stay limit of 7 days will be lifted. All anchorages will be reserved to support operations at terminals not affected by strike activity, partly loaded vessels that are delayed due to labour action, and larger vessels that can only be accommodated in English Bay.
- Southern Gulf Islands: These anchorages will be assigned per the interim protocol for waiting vessels; a balanced use of these anchorages across the South Coast BC region and commodity sectors will be ensured.
Vessels in port can be viewed on the home page of the PortVan eHub app by selecting “Vessels in Port” via the port authority’s mobile app.
Rail operations: CPKC trains to embargoed destinations continue to move west under permit.
CN: CN is reviewing capacity allocation (loads and empty) for its international services to the ports in British Columbia. Customers will be notified individually on the capacity that was provided and requirements to be removed or reduced.
CPKC: An embargo for shipments routing to the below locations is now in place. This embargo applies to all shipments originating in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico that are billed to the following:
- Neptune Bulk Terminals Canada
- Neptune Bulk Terminals Ltd
- Neptune Terminals
- Pacific Coast Terminals
- West Coast Reduction
- Global Agriculture
- Columbia Containers
- GCT Canada
- WTC Group
The embargo is a temporary measure pending an agreement between the ILWU and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and can be rescinded at any time. During the embargo period, CPKC’s network will remain open to accept permits in order to accommodate rail traffic as capacity allows.
GCT Vanterm and Deltaport: Day shift (08:00-15:59) and afternoon shift (17:00-23:59) truck gates are closed today due to ongoing negotiations. Terminal gate efficiency fees (TGEF) for cancelled reservations on these and other shifts will be waived.
July 3, 2023 – As we head into the 3rd day of the Canada west coast port strike, there has been no update on the negotiations and little is expected to happen until the end of this week. Currently, the Canadian government is on leave so for legislation to be passed to bring the workers back to work, parliamentarians will first need to be recalled. More updates will be given when available.
July 1, 2023 – On Canada Day, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) today set up picket lines as of 8 AM at the marine terminals at the Port of Vancouver as well as the Port of Prince Rupert. Negotiations continued through the night between ILWU and the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) but to this point have failed to secure a tentative agreement. All marine terminal container operations are effectively shut down and behind picket lines. It is our understanding that both parties continue to meet and negotiations have not broken off between the parties.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and advise further of any updates/confirmations as they become known to us.
June 28,2023 – The ILWU Canada association has issued a 72 hour strike notice to the west coast ports in Vancouver and barring any reprieve there will be a strike on July 1. Affected customers will be contacted individually by our team members. More news as it develops.
June 27, 2023 – All remains quite on the western front as negotiators representing each side continue to meet with the help of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, a government body offering dispute resolution to federally regulated employees in key sectors of the economy. Canaan Transport will advise if a 72 hour strike or lockout notice is issued.
June 22, 2023 – As the cooling off period has ended, both ILWU Canada and the BCMEA are now in a position to call for a strike or a lockout. But there has not been any word from either camp. As many recall, the last time there was such action was back in May 2019, following a short 90 minute lockout and a threat of a strike. With the US west coast labour situation now resolved, focus now has switched to seeing if Canada will follow suit. We will provide additional updates as they become known.
June 15, 2023 – A tentative labour deal between dockworkers and port employers was reached yesterday (Wednesday), after more than a year of contentious negotiations. The agreement would run six years between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents more than 22,000 dockworkers, and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), representing employers at 29 ports. The tentative agreement must be approved by the dockworkers and operators, and could take several months. A joint statement between the ILWU and PMA read, “recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating.” President Biden praised the agreement, saying it showed how collective bargaining works and congratulated the port workers. There is no word yet on how this will affect the ILWU Canada negotiations which are still ongoing.
June 14, 2023 – Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su is in California for talks with West Coast port employers and the dockworkers’ union in an effort to break an impasse in a long-running contract negotiation. Su is encouraging ocean carriers and terminal operators, represented by the Pacific Maritime Association, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union “to stay at the table and reach an agreement,” said Julie McClain Downey, assistant Labor Secretary for public affairs. She did not elaborate on the status of the talks.
June 13, 2023 – ILWU Canada has confirmed that the weekend vote has given it the mandate in favour of strike action if needed. The timeline for possible strike or lockout action has not changed; the parties cannot acquire the legal right to strike or lockout before June 21. Further, the BC Maritime Employers Association and ILWU Canada have mutually agreed that no 72-hour strike or lockout notice will be filed before June 21. The earliest either party could exercise the right to strike or lockout is 12:01 am PT on June 24. The parties are continuing to meet with the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.