April 2023 Industry Updates
Here are a few important industry articles we have read recently:
CPKC is official (Shipping Matters)
Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern have combined to create Canadian Pacific Kansas City, which is the only railway connecting North America, and plans to invest more than $275 million in new infrastructure over the next three years to improve rail safety and capacity, while also reducing GHG emissions and highway maintenance costs.
Ottawa approves port expansion in Delta, B.C., subject to 370 conditions (CTV News)
The Canadian government has approved the construction of a new shipping container terminal, Roberts Bank Terminal 2, despite environmental concerns and fears of automation causing job losses, but subject to over 370 legally binding conditions, and the port authority estimates it will start construction in two years.
Labour disruptions impact at the Canada Border Service Agency (Government of Canada website)
159,000 public service employees started striking on April 19th, but CBSA services to businesses will continue.
LA-LB dockworkers target automated terminals as job actions continue (S&P Journal of Commerce)
Longshore workers from ILWU Local 13 have been "red-tagging" cargo-handling equipment at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, forcing terminals to halt operations, disrupting port activities, as negotiations for a new labor contract have been ongoing for almost a year, with no resolution in sight.
Analysis: West Coast dockworker contract talks hit initial hurdle (Business in Vancouver)
ILWU Canada has filed a “notice of dispute” with the Canadian federal government’s Minister of Labor, asking for assistance in negotiating a new contract with maritime employers, with the existing contract with BCMEA having expired and negotiations thus far failing to come to an agreement regarding wage increases and the automation of cargo-handling equipment, potentially leading to a strike or lockout in late June if no resolution is reached.
General strike at Port of Montreal set to begin on Monday: dockworkers' union (CBC)
1,150 port workers with CUPE 375 are set to start a general strike at the Port of Montreal on Monday, Apr 24.