Port of Vancouver Operations Update

25 Nov Port of Vancouver Operations Update

Trucking Strike Could Further Impact Port of Vancouver Operations

Drivers at two Vancouver port trucking companies have voted to strike “if necessary to achieve a fair agreement,” said Unifor, the drivers’ union, in a statement yesterday. A strike would affect almost 200 truckers servicing the Port of Vancouver on Canada’s West Coast.

Restoration work continues on rail and road infrastructure to re-establish key connections between the B.C. interior and the West Coast. Increased precipitation across southwestern B.C. is forecast for the remainder of this week and over the weekend.  

Rail operations: Four trains have transited across CP’s mainline between Vancouver and Kamloops. Additional CP and CN trains were expected to transit yesterday. All trains are operating in accordance with low-speed restrictions to enable monitoring of rail infrastructure in recently repaired areas. Intermittent closures to address repairs and ensure safe operations may occur. CN anticipates the opening of its mainline on Thursday, November 25. 

Port of Vancouver rail production (November 24):

  • Grain unloads: 23
  • Container terminal rail production: 0 ft
  • Container import on-dock footage: 332,834 ft

Truck operations: Truck operations at all four container terminals remain steady. Reconstruction and repairs continue on major roadways across the region, with some highway routes restored, including detours, intermittent closures and essential-traffic-only restrictions.  

Port of Vancouver truck activity (November 24):

  • Container truck reservations: 1,434

Marine operations: Anchorage demand is steady and remains high across all vessel types. Anchorages are assigned in a manner that ensures fluidity across all ship types and maintains essential services. Vessels in port can be viewed on the home page of the PortVan eHub app by selecting “Vessels in Port.”

Port of Vancouver anchorage occupation (November 24):

  • Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (English Bay, inner habour, Indian Arm): 59%
  • Southern Gulf Islands: 63%

The provincial state of emergency declared by the British Columbia Minister of Public Safety remains in place.