Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Logistics

Port shutdowns put Canadian supply chains under pressure

11 Nov 2024 - by Staff reporter
The Port of Montreal is one of several crucial Canadian ports that are being impacted by a labour dispute. Source: Supply Chain Brain
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

Canadian supply chains are facing major disruptions as ports on both the east and west coasts of the country have shut down due to ongoing labour disputes.

Dockworkers were recently locked out of the Port of Montreal, Canada’s largest eastern port, as a prolonged dispute continued, with no resolution in sight. On the west coast, ports in British Columbia, especially at Vancouver, have also been closed for the past seven days due to a separate labour disagreement.

The shutdowns are significantly impacting industries dependent on the country’s ports, with shipping delays affecting the flow of goods, raw materials, and essential supplies.

Analysts have warned that if the disputes continue, Canada could see a ripple effect across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and agriculture, with potential shortages of consumer goods, increased production costs, and rising prices for imported items.

Julie Gascon, the Port Authority’s CEO, stated last Thursday that, while she believed the best agreements were those reached through direct negotiation, there had been no active negotiations taking place.

Industry experts fear that the lack of dialogue could further strain relationships between employers and dockworkers, potentially leading to more prolonged disruptions.

Canadian Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, also speaking last Thursday, expressed the government’s support for a negotiated solution.

He noted, however, that discussions in both Montreal and British Columbia were moving forward too slowly, pointing to what he described as a troubling lack of urgency from the parties involved.

Government officials have cautioned that without swift progress in negotiations, legislative action may be considered as a last resort to reopen the ports and stabilise the country’s supply chain.

As businesses and local communities continue to feel the impact, calls for decisive government action are growing. The economic repercussions have sparked debates over the necessity of stronger legislative frameworks to prevent future labour disruptions at critical infrastructure points like Canada’s ports.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

US road freight sector reeling from ‘Trump tariffs’

Road/Rail Freight

23% of respondents said rising diesel costs were the greatest issue their businesses faced.

Today 12:15
0 Comments

Driver’s licence card printer back in operation

Domestic

But the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has raised concerns about a tender for a new machine and whether card prices will be hiked.

Today 11:30
0 Comments

DP World strengthens its Dominican foothold

Logistics

The port’s capacity is set to increase from 2.5m to approximately 3.1m TEUs.

Today 11:15
0 Comments

The N4 Maputo Corridor crossing – congestion, crime and potholes

Border Beat
Today 11:15
0 Comments

Foot-and-mouth disease reappears in Mpumalanga and Gauteng

Imports and Exports

China has suspended imports of cloven-hoofed animals and related products.

Today 10:30
0 Comments

SA wine industry predicts exceptional grape harvest

Imports and Exports

Tariff constraints must be addressed with the likes of China.

Today 08:30
0 Comments

Emirates posts record profits

Air Freight

Cargo division carries 2.3 million tonnes of goods around the world, up 7% from the previous year.

Today 08:30
0 Comments

Saaff reacts positively to ports, rail and road announcement

Logistics

The decision serves to “prevent, mitigate and resolve bottlenecks and additional breakdowns”.

09 May 2025
0 Comments

Durban port takes delivery of ship-to-shore cranes

Logistics

The port’s container terminal has invested approximately R1.5 billion in new equipment over the past 18 months.

09 May 2025
0 Comments

Steep dip in ConCor line volume after derailment

Logistics

An update states that as a result, rail operations in and out of Durban were affected.

09 May 2025
0 Comments

Rates storm looms as Suez eyes reuptake of volume

Logistics

A sudden rediversion of global traffic through the Suez Canal would unleash surplus tonnage back into regular trade lanes.

09 May 2025
0 Comments

SA pork producers fear US leverage over citrus and tariffs

Imports and Exports

The primary responsibility remains the protection of the local industry from PRRS outbreaks.

09 May 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Sea Freight May 2025

Border Beat

The N4 Maputo Corridor crossing – congestion, crime and potholes
Today 11:15
Fuel-crime curbing causes tanker build-up at Moz border
08 May 2025
Border police turn the tide on illegal crossings
29 Apr 2025
More

Featured Jobs

New

Estimator (Airfreight Imports)

Tiger Recruitment
East Rand
12 May
New

Sales & Marketing Assistant

Lee Botti & Associates
Johannesburg - North
12 May
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us