WHAT’S THE LATEST

From November 4 - 12, the Ports of Vancouver Prince Rupert shut down after more than 700 International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 members went on strike. This action came as a result of the union and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) not being able to reach a new labor agreement.

On November 12, Canadian Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon ordered the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to impose binding arbitration, effectively bringing the strike to an end.

WHAT WE KNOW 

  • While operations have resumed, it could take weeks to clear the backlog of containers.

  • About 20% of US trade arrives in the Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert.

  • The US Department of Transportation reports that rail cross-border trade accounted for 14% of the $382B in US-Canada trade in the first half of the year. 

    • According to US Census data, approximately $572M in container trade enters the US daily from Canada.

WHAT’S NEXT?  

As your logistics partner, we are ready and able to pivot quickly. Our team is working directly with clients to address their specific needs as the ports continue to clear the backlog of containers.

We will frequently communicate and advise on the situation as more details become available. 

If you have questions, please reach out to your SEKO representative, or email us at hello@sekologistics.com.