Canadian Pacific Kansas City has received a 72-hour strike notice from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Canadian Signals and Communications System Council No. 11, representing approximately 300 Signals & Communications employees across Canada. The union has indicated a potential strike could begin on May 31 at 08:00 MDT if an agreement is not reached. CPKC said contingency plans are in place to maintain safe railway operations and continue serving customers during any potential work stoppage. The company stated that negotiations will continue as it works toward a resolution and a new collective agreement.

Seaspan Shipyards has completed the first major construction block for the Canadian Coast Guard’s new heavy polar icebreaker, marking a key milestone under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. The 158-metre Polar Class 2 vessel will support year-round Arctic operations and strengthen Canada’s northern capabilities, with more than 49 blocks currently under construction. Designed to operate in temperatures as low as -50°C, the vessel requires specialized steel and advanced shipbuilding techniques to withstand extreme ice conditions.

Battery electric container trucks are now operating at the Port of Vancouver under the new ELECTRA pilot program aimed at accelerating the adoption of lower-emission port transportation technologies. The initiative provides participating trucking companies with subsidized five-year truck leases, charging infrastructure, maintenance support, and operational training. The pilot currently involves five trucking companies operating six electric trucks, with additional vehicles expected later this year. Supported by Transport Canada, the Province of British Columbia, BC Hydro, and 7Gen, the program will collect operational data over the first year to help guide future electrification efforts across the port trucking sector.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative has indicated that tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports are expected to remain as negotiations begin on changes to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said trade concerns with Canada remain significant and extend beyond individual issues, noting Canada’s retaliatory measures have complicated discussions. Initial U.S.-Mexico talks will focus on economic security and rules of origin, particularly for industrial and automotive sectors.

Wärtsilä Voyage Canada and the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound have announced a three-year partnership to deploy the PortLink Digital Maritime Information Exchange Platform across the Puget Sound maritime corridor. The platform will provide real-time vessel tracking, traffic coordination, service management, pilot and tug coordination, and data sharing between maritime stakeholders. The deployment marks PortLink’s first implementation in North America and aims to improve efficiency, reduce congestion, and enhance coordination across one of the region’s busiest waterways. The system will support collaboration among ports, terminals, pilots, shipping agents, regulators, and other marine operators through a shared digital operating platform.

Transport Canada has released a discussion paper outlining proposed legislative changes to improve supply chain efficiency, modernize port governance, and support Canada’s goal of doubling non-US exports over the next decade. The proposals include creating National Trade Corridors, increasing financial flexibility for Canada Port Authorities, improving port collaboration, expanding digital and paperless trade, and reducing regulatory barriers. The government is also exploring measures to improve data sharing, streamline approvals, strengthen critical infrastructure oversight, and support major transportation investments. The reforms aim to attract investment, reduce bottlenecks, and improve Canada’s competitiveness as a global trading partner. The Chamber of Shipping will be providing a submission to Transport Canada on behalf of its members and encourages interested stakeholders to review the discussion paper and provide their perspectives through the consultation process.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney used a speech in New York to call for deeper economic cooperation with the United States in key sectors including aluminum, automotive manufacturing, energy, and critical minerals. Carney highlighted Canada’s role as a reliable supplier of resources such as potash, nickel, copper, and uranium, while emphasizing the benefits of integrated North American supply chains. His remarks come as trade discussions continue around the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and ongoing U.S. tariffs on Canadian products. Carney said closer Canada-U.S. collaboration would strengthen regional competitiveness and help both countries compete globally.

Canada has signed its first long-term LNG supply agreement with Germany’s SEFE. SEFE will purchase one million tonnes of LNG annually from the proposed Ksi Lisims export terminal in British Columbia for 20 years starting in 2030. The $10 billion project, backed by Western LNG, Rockies LNG, and the Nisga’a Nation, is expected to become Canada’s second-largest LNG export facility. Federal officials say the agreement supports Canada’s role as a reliable supplier of lower-carbon energy and could attract more than $30 billion in investment.

The Trump administration’s temporary Jones Act waiver is reshaping U.S. energy logistics by allowing foreign-flagged tankers to move crude oil and refined products between domestic ports. Following disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, more than 60 waiver-approved shipments have transported fuel between U.S. regions, including significant volumes to California. The waiver has increased reliance on Gulf Coast supplies to support the West Coast, East Coast, Florida, and Puerto Rico amid changing trade flows. While energy companies cite improved flexibility during supply disruptions, the policy has raised concerns from the U.S. maritime sector over impacts to domestic shipping, shipbuilding capacity, and mariner jobs.

Cheniere Energy has signed an engineering, procurement, and construction contract with Bechtel for the first phase of its Sabine Pass LNG expansion project in Louisiana. The initial phase will add more than 6 million tonnes per year of LNG production capacity through a new liquefaction train and supporting infrastructure. The broader expansion could eventually increase capacity by approximately 20 million tonnes annually across three new trains. Cheniere expects a final investment decision by early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and financing, as global demand for secure LNG supplies continues to grow.

Industry analysts believe potential U.S. restrictions on phosphate fertilizer exports to Canada are unlikely despite concerns over tight supplies and rising prices. Canada does not produce phosphate fertilizer domestically and relies heavily on U.S. imports, with Canadian farmers importing significant volumes of MAP and DAP products each year. While some U.S. agriculture groups have suggested creating a strategic fertilizer reserve or limiting exports, analysts note that the North American fertilizer market is highly integrated and restrictions could create major trade challenges. Meanwhile, U.S. farm groups are seeking removal of duties on phosphate imports from Morocco and Russia to increase supply options and reduce costs for growers.

The Port of Long Beach has introduced a $1 million incentive for the first oceangoing vessel to commercially bunker methanol at the port, aiming to accelerate adoption of lower-emission marine fuels. The Clean Fuel Bunkering Challenge is intended to support development of a North American methanol bunkering market and offset higher refuelling and operational costs associated with methanol fuel. Port officials say methanol can significantly reduce nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and particulate emissions compared to conventional marine fuels.

The icebreaking LNG carrier Christophe de Margerie has begun an unusually early eastbound voyage through Russia’s Northern Sea Route after loading cargo from the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project. The May transit, among the earliest attempts for an LNG carrier on the route, reflects favourable Arctic ice conditions that could extend the navigation season. However, the voyage also highlights increasing pressure on Novatek to maintain LNG exports to Asia amid Western sanctions, vessel shortages, and restrictions affecting traditional shipping routes. Russia continues to promote the Northern Sea Route as a strategic Arctic energy corridor supported by icebreaker infrastructure and expanding LNG operations.

New analysis from Ursa Shipbrokers, Braemar, and Xclusiv Shipbrokers suggests growing agricultural trade, longer voyage distances, and potential El Niño disruptions could strengthen dry bulk shipping markets over the next 18 months. Average agricultural voyage durations reached record levels in early 2026 as changing grain export patterns increased sailing distances. Brokers warn that possible drought conditions and pressure on key routes such as the Panama Canal could further disrupt trade flows and extend voyages, boosting tonne-mile demand for bulk carriers. Analysts say rerouting grain cargoes and shifting export origins may continue supporting freight rates even if overall commodity growth slows.

The International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee has adopted a new regulatory framework for the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES), an advanced alternative to the current AIS ship tracking system. Expected to enter into force on January 1, 2028, VDES will allow ships and coastal authorities to exchange larger volumes of data more securely, including enhanced protection against spoofing. The system combines vessel tracking, application-specific messaging, and terrestrial and satellite data exchange capabilities.

G2 Ocean has announced a major fleet expansion with the addition of six new 65,400 dwt gantry crane open hatch vessels to be delivered from 2029. The ships, to be built at New Dayang Shipbuilding, will feature large cargo holds, gantry cranes, tween decks, and designs adaptable for alternative fuels such as ammonia and methanol. Two vessels will be owned by Grieg Maritime Group, while four will be owned by Seaspan Corporation and chartered to Gearbulk before joining the G2 Ocean pool. The investment forms part of a broader fleet renewal strategy focused on flexibility, sustainability, and supporting diverse global cargo trades.

Sanmar Shipyards has announced that SD AISEMAHT, the world’s first dual-fuel methanol escort and rescue tug built for KOTUG Canada, has received full class certification from American Bureau of Shipping. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd., the vessel will support Canada’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project by escorting tankers from the Port of Vancouver to the Pacific Ocean. The methanol dual-fuel tug complies with IMO Tier III emission standards and is intended to demonstrate the growing viability of alternative marine fuels in high-performance harbour operations.