Port Vancouver

The port is open for business. All terminals are open, ships are being worked and rail continues to handle cargo (all three Port of Vancouver container facilities have on-dock rail).
Vancouver Container Truckers Association (VCTA) information lines continue to be set up on public property at Commissioner Street, Clark Drive and Highway 17.
While all three container terminals within the Port of Vancouver (Centerm, Vanterm and Deltaport) are operating with scheduled ships and rail arriving, truck delivery and pickup activity is minimal although truck gates at the terminals remain open for business.
The VPA is prepared to participate in the process in whatever capacity the mediator determines is most appropriate.

Economic Impact

Approximately $231 million worth of goods are moved by these trucks every week, or $33 million every day. That represents 28 per cent of the $43 billion in goods that move through the port each year.
Containerized cargo moved by truck accounts for $1.2 billion in annual economic output.
Goods impacted on the import side primarily include imported consumer goods, on the export side forest products and perishables/foods products. Most goods that move by truck are destined for the local or provincial market. Approximately 63 per cent of export containers and 23 per cent of import containers are moved by truck.

Background

Members of the VCTA withdrew services on Monday June 27, 2005.
The VCTA is protesting compensation levels between employers and truckers (high fuel costs, among other things, have impacted their profitability).
The VCTA represents approximately 1,200 local truckers; they are represented by an executive committee.
The VCTA represents approximately 75 per cent of all container truck operators and is responsible for moving about 40 per cent of goods through the port.
Other workers are not part of the VTCA trucking dispute.
Currently, information pickets are located at the entrance to the port at Commissioner Street, Clark Drive, and Highway 17 and outside of Fraserports Fraser Surrey Docks.
The issue being raised by the VCTA is common to other sectors of the provincial trucking industry and is not unique to container truckers or the port.
The trucking industry is a vital and essential part of the ports transportation system and the reliability of the trucking industry is critical to port business, our economy and our lifestyle.
Labour disruptions that affect the movement of cargo seriously damage the reputation of the port and to the customers that rely on the Port to access competitive global markets.
Once cargo is diverted to other ports, it is very difficult to win back the lost business and trust.

For more information:

public_affairs@portvancouver.com