Port of Vancouver operations update

July 5, 2023

To Port of Vancouver’s valued customers and stakeholders:

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada commenced legal strike action against the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) effective 0800 PST, Saturday, July 1, 2023. Negotiations remain paused pending further discussion with federal mediators.

ILWU Canada members are picketing various cargo and container handling sites. The port authority continues to monitor for impacts. For a list of BCMEA members, please visit here. For a list of Port of Vancouver marine terminals, please visit here.

Cruise sector:

Cruise vessels continue to be serviced.

Grain sector:

Grain vessels continue to be serviced.

Rail:

CPKC and CN have various embargoes in place. Please contact your railway directly for information regarding embargoed destinations and impacted traffic.

Marine operations:

The port authority continues to manage vessel arrivals and anchorage assignments to maintain port fluidity, ensure the safe movement of vessels and manage anchorage capacity for terminals not affected by strike activity. The following operational procedures are in place during labour action:

  1. Inner Harbour:Maximum stay of 48-hours will be strictly enforced, and assignment will be limited to bunkering, fumigation, staging area, or emergency situations.
  2. English Bay and Indian Arm:The maximum stay limit of 7-days will be lifted. All anchorages will be reserved to support operations at terminals not affected by strike activity, partly loaded vessels that are delayed due to labour action, and larger vessels that can only be accommodated in English Bay.
  3. Southern Gulf Islands:These anchorages will be assigned per the Interim protocol for waiting vessels; a balanced use of these anchorages across the South Coast BC region and commodity sectors will be ensured.

Port of Vancouver anchorage occupation (July 5, 2023):

  • Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (English Bay, inner habour, Indian Arm):  70%
  • Southern Gulf Islands:  50%

Vessels in port can be viewed on the home page of the PortVan eHub app by selecting “Vessels in Port” via the port authority’s mobile app. Download from the port authority’s website (eHub) or through the App Store (search for “PortVan eHub” or “Port of Vancouver”).

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed of new developments as they arise.

Resources:

  • Information Bulletins: Operations Updates
  • Port import rail on-dock footage summary: Import Rail On-dock Footage (updated daily Monday-Friday)
  • PortVan eHub app: access real-time insights into Port of Vancouver operations via the port authority’s mobile app eHub.  Download from the port authority’s website (eHub) or through the App Store (search for “PortVan eHub” or “Port of Vancouver”)
  • Port dashboard: view updates on import rail performance, truck terminal turn times, gateway vessel on-time performance, and container vessels at anchor/berth through the port authority’s website (Performance Metrics).