Several Canadian Ports Close Due to Labor Dispute, Reports Say
Several Canadian ports temporarily closed May 30 in the latest escalation of an ongoing labor dispute between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association, according to multiple reports. The ports later reopened after the two sides came to a "tentative agreement" subject to ratification, according to Deringer.
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The ports that closed, according to Farrow, were Global Container Terminals Deltaport and Vantern; DP World Centerm; and Fraser Surrey Docks Limited. The impact of a port shutdown on Canada “would be huge,” a report in the Vancouver Sun said, “idling thousands of truck drivers and employees of companies that serve ships in the Vancouver port.” The report said the cargo value affected could be about $615 million ($455,715,000 in U.S. dollars) per day.
"We appreciate the efforts of both parties to focus on reaching agreement and ensuring BC Ports remain open for business," said Jeff Scott, chair of the board of BCMEA, according to Deringer. "The lockout has been lifted and we look forward to getting operations back to normal."