Labor Board Order Resumes Port Operations
Container operations have restarted at Canada’s busiest ports after labor-related disruptions, as efforts continue to address backlogs and restore normal operations.
On November 14, the Canada Industrial Relations Board approved a request from Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon to end the lockout of union workers at West Coast ports and the Port of Montreal. The order also mandated binding arbitration for ongoing contract disputes.
On the West Coast, the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association had locked out members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union on November 4, following a strike notice from the union. Meanwhile, in Montreal, the Maritime Employers Association imposed a lockout on Canada Union of Public Employees Local 375 after several targeted work stoppages.
“The recovery from these labor disruptions will take time,” stated the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. “These disruptions negatively affect our port and Canada’s reputation. All stakeholders must work together to uphold our global standing as a reliable gateway for business.”
Since operations resumed at the Port of Vancouver’s four container terminals from November 15-20, the average cargo dwell time is currently 7.7 days, although it’s decreasing—down to 5.5 days on Wednesday—compared to October’s average of 4.5 days. Daily rail production is at 54,000 feet, nearing the pre-disruption level of 57,000 feet per day.
As of Thursday, Vancouver’s on-dock rail from CN and CPKC totaled 221,846 feet across four terminals. Dwell times varied: 0-3 days at Vanterm and FSD, 3-5 days at Deltaport, and seven days or more at Centerm, which handled 58,988 feet of on-dock containers. Currently, seven container vessels are berthed in Vancouver, with five at anchor and two waiting outside the port.
At the Port of Montreal, operations resumed on November 16 across all four container terminals. The Montreal Port Authority reported over 5,000 twenty-foot equivalent units on the ground, with 55,000 linear feet of rail to manage and 22 vessels on route or waiting at anchor.
In an update on its website, the MPA outlined its collaboration with port and intermodal partners to carry out a recovery plan aimed at restoring normal operations swiftly.
“It may take a few weeks to return the supply chain to optimal flow and process all goods, both imports and exports, currently at the Port of Montreal or scheduled to arrive soon. We will strive to handle these volumes efficiently.”
Real-time data indicated five container ships at berth from CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and MSC, with six additional vessels expected in the upcoming week.
