Port of Vancouver operations update

July 12, 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.

On July 11, the Minister of Labour, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, gave the senior federal mediator 24 hours to provide terms of a recommended settlement pursuant to subsection 105(2) of the Canada Labour Code. Once received, the Minister will provide the recommendations to ILWU Canada and the BCMEA, giving the two parties 24 hours to review and communicate their willingness to recommend the terms of ratification to their respective members.    

Currently, there are 78 vessels at berth, at anchor, or awaiting offshore to enter port authority waters. Not all of these vessels are impacted by strike action. To view vessels at berth and anchor by vessel category, please visit our mobile app eHub by downloading from the port authority’s website (eHub) or through the App Store (search for “PortVan eHub” or “Port of Vancouver”).

Nine of 29 marine cargo terminals are currently impacted by labour action.  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’s 29 marine terminals, please visit here.

Cruise sector:

Cruise vessels continue to be serviced.

Bulk Grain sector:

Grain vessels continue to be serviced.

Container sector:

Centerm, Deltaport, Fraser Surrey, and Vanterm container terminals are currently impacted by labour action.

As of this morning, there are 4 container vessels at anchor and 10 awaiting entry into the port’s jurisdiction. To view the Container Vessel Line-Up Report that includes vessels at anchor and dwelling outside of port authority waters, please visit our port dashboard here.

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.

Port of Vancouver anchorage occupation (July 12, 2023 – 0600 am PST):

  • Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (English Bay, inner habour, Indian Arm):  52%
  • Southern Gulf Islands:  73%

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).