Iran has announced exemptions from Strait of Hormuz transit restrictions for vessels from India, China, Iraq and Qatar, allowing them to navigate the strategic waterway despite ongoing regional hostilities. According to a senior Iranian lawmaker, the exemptions were intended to facilitate medicine shipments from India, secure political support from China and protect mutual economic interests....Read More
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council has endorsed Arsenio Dominguez’s reappointment as secretary-general for a second four-year term, extending his leadership through December 2031, subject to formal approval by the IMO Assembly in late 2027. Dominguez, who assumed office in January 2024, has overseen the organization during a challenging period marked by disagreements over maritime...Read More
Jacobsen Pilot Service, the exclusive pilotage provider for the Port of Long Beach, has purchased an Artemis EF-12 Pilot vessel, which will become the first commercial electric hydrofoil pilot boat in the United States. Scheduled for delivery in late 2027, the zero-emission vessel will use advanced hydrofoil technology to reduce drag, energy consumption, vibration and...Read More
Canada’s two major railways, CN and CPKC, reported record grain transportation volumes in October 2026, reflecting strong demand during the 2026–27 crop year. CPKC transported 3.26 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Canadian grain and grain products, marking its third consecutive monthly record, alongside a record 2.65 MMT moved in the United States. Combined Canadian and...Read More
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has confirmed that the new four-lane Holdom Avenue overpass in Burnaby remains on schedule to open to vehicle traffic in spring 2027, with full construction completion expected by fall 2027. The $200-million project will eliminate the existing at-grade railway crossing at Douglas Road, improving road safety, reducing congestion and facilitating...Read More
The B.C. Federation of Labour (BCFED) has issued a hot edict supporting striking ILWU Local 523A workers at Trigon Pacific Terminals in Prince Rupert, urging affiliated unions not to handle specified coal, petroleum coke and LPG cargo associated with the terminal. The strike, which began October 2, involved approximately 107 unionized workers and centred on...Read More
The Halifax Port Authority has launched an operational trial of OMC International’s Dynamic Under Keel Clearance (DUKC®6) system to improve navigational safety and operational efficiency in Halifax Harbour. The technology uses real-time environmental, meteorological and oceanographic data to support under-keel clearance decisions and optimize vessel transits, particularly for larger container ships. The trial brings together...Read More
Canada and China have agreed to extend their Preliminary Joint Arrangement through 2028, maintaining favourable market access for Canadian canola meal and peas, alongside lobster and crab exports. The extension, announced following the Joint Economic and Trade Commission meeting in Beijing, provided greater certainty for Canadian agricultural producers and exporters. The arrangement followed earlier tariff...Read More
A new Lloyd’s Register report has highlighted a growing gap between alternative-fuel vessel orders and the availability of supporting bunkering infrastructure worldwide. As of January 2026, approximately 1,942 alternative-fuel-capable vessels were on order, representing 47% of the global orderbook by tonnage. While LNG bunkering was available at 222 ports globally, only 25 ports offered methanol...Read More
The U.S. Coast Guard is exploring the use of commercial icebreaking vessels to maintain navigation and essential cargo movements across Northeast U.S. ports and waterways during the 2026–2027 winter season. Through an October 21 Request for Information, the Coast Guard is seeking U.S.-flagged, Jones Act-qualified vessels capable of operating in ice between 4 and 18...Read More
Democrats’ takeover of both chambers of the U.S. Congress in the November midterm elections has raised questions about the future of President Donald Trump’s maritime, trade and energy policies. The shift could lead to increased scrutiny of tariffs, Jones Act waivers, China-linked vessel fees, Russian oil sanctions and military operations affecting shipping through the Strait...Read More
Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) conducted a federally mandated marine oil spill response exercise at Pembina’s Vancouver Wharves facility on November 4, in coordination with Pembina’s emergency response training. The 150-tonne deployment exercise involved 26 spill response personnel, five vessels and a drone, with crews deploying containment booms, recovery equipment and environmental protection measures...Read More
Transport Canada announced the launch of its Trade Digitalisation Task Force, which held its inaugural meeting on October 29 and brought together government agencies and industry representatives to modernise Canada’s trade and transportation processes. The initiative aims to reduce administrative duplication, shipping delays and costs while improving supply chain efficiency and the secure exchange of trade...Read More
Transport Canada is marking its 90th anniversary, recognizing nine decades of contributions to transportation safety, infrastructure development and economic growth across Canada. Established in 1936, the department has evolved from a transportation regulator into a key partner in supporting trade, strengthening supply chains and improving the competitiveness of Canada’s transportation network. Minister of Transport Steven...Read More
Cheam First Nation in British Columbia has filed a Federal Court challenge against Ottawa’s decision to designate the proposed Pacific Link oil pipeline as a project of national interest, allowing it to undergo an accelerated federal regulatory review. The First Nation alleges that the federal government failed to provide sufficient project information and conduct adequate...Read More
Blackstone and a consortium of major Canadian pension funds have announced a US$3.1 billion investment to acquire a 49.9% interest in Mitsubishi Corporation’s holding company, which owns a 15% stake in the LNG Canada project in Kitimat, British Columbia. The consortium includes CPP Investments, OMERS, IMCO and PSP Investments, with approximately US$1.6 billion attributed to...Read More
Dockworkers across 113 ports in 22 countries staged coordinated strikes and protests on October 30 as part of the international “Dockworkers Don’t Work for War” campaign, opposing arms shipments to Israel and the use of commercial ports for military logistics. More than 25 unions participated, with significant disruptions reported in France, Italy, Greece and Türkiye,...Read More
Canadian oil producers face a widening price discount even as global crude prices remain around US$100 per barrel. Western Canadian Select (WCS) has recently traded at a discount of US$20–$30 per barrel compared with West Texas Intermediate (WTI), significantly higher than the typical US$12 differential. Analysts attribute the widening gap to rising tanker freight rates,...Read More
DP World has officially inaugurated its CAD $22 million Salish Sea Gateway, British Columbia’s first dedicated short-sea shipping facility, strengthening marine connectivity between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. The facility integrates road, rail, and marine transportation, offering a more efficient, lower-emission alternative to traditional truck-and-ferry routes. Since commencing operations earlier this year, DP World...Read More
An investigation has determined that tampering with an emergency engine shut-off caused the Pride of Vancouver, a catamaran carrying approximately 150 North Vancouver students, to run aground on October 23. According to vessel operator Spirit Cruises, someone aboard removed the protective cage and activated the emergency shut-off, stopping the engine. Strong currents subsequently pushed the...Read More
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal has called on Greek shipowner Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited to recall the Malta-flagged Agioi Fanendes, reportedly carrying approximately 40,000 tonnes of Russian diesel to the Port of New York and New Jersey, with an expected arrival on November 7. Blumenthal argues that the shipment violates the 2022 U.S. ban on Russian...Read More
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have identified LNG and methanol as the most viable alternative marine fuels for the near and medium term, following a joint Clean Marine Fuel Feasibility Assessment. The study projects annual LNG demand of 65,000–115,000 tonnes and methanol demand of 64,000–250,000 tonnes by 2030, depending on vessel adoption...Read More
Four Romanian public officials and two other defendants have been indicted over alleged procurement fraud involving two EU-funded tugboats intended to improve navigation and emergency response on the Lower Danube River. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office alleges that tender specifications were deliberately designed to favour a single supplier, resulting in the delivery of vessels unsuitable...Read More
A potential strike involving approximately 250 ILWU Local 26 port watchmen could significantly disrupt operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach when their labour agreement extension expires on November 1. The Pacific Maritime Association warns that affected terminals handle approximately 85% of Long Beach’s cargo and 33% of Los Angeles’ cargo, with...Read More
The proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project north of Prince Rupert has secured a binding 20-year agreement to supply one million tonnes of LNG annually to German state-owned energy company Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE). The agreement brings the project’s total contracted capacity to seven million tonnes per annum, representing approximately 58% of its planned 12-million-tonne...Read More
Canadian labour leaders are warning of potential nationwide job action in response to the federal government’s proposed Bill C-39, which would clarify the labour minister’s authority under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to intervene in federally regulated labour disputes. The proposed changes would allow the minister, under specified conditions, to direct the resumption...Read More
The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has ruled that Trigon Pacific Terminals violated the Canada Labour Code by allowing contractors to perform work normally undertaken by unionized employees during the ongoing strike at Ridley Island in Prince Rupert. In its October 27 decision, the board ordered Trigon to cease the specified contractor activities within 48...Read More
The proposed Tenas metallurgical coal mine near Smithers, B.C., is approaching the final stage of its provincial environmental assessment, with construction potentially beginning in 2027, subject to regulatory approval. The open-pit project is expected to produce approximately 775,000 to 825,000 tonnes of steelmaking coal annually, transported by CN Rail to Trigon Terminals in Prince Rupert...Read More
American farmers and agricultural leaders are calling for changes to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) amid concerns over persistent U.S. trade deficits. In 2025, the United States recorded a US$48 billion overall trade deficit with Canada, including a US$10.5 billion agricultural trade deficit, with Canadian agricultural exports to the U.S. reaching US$39.2 billion. While major...Read More
BC Ferries has signed a conservation agreement with Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to reduce underwater radiated noise by 50% and strengthen measures to prevent vessel strikes and disturbances to marine mammals by 2036. The agreement includes developing an Underwater Radiated Noise Management Plan, introducing quieter vessel technologies through newbuilds and retrofits, and...Read More
Dubai-based port operator DP World has signed a memorandum of understanding with Arctic Gateway Group and CentrePort Canada to explore developing an integrated transportation corridor connecting Manitoba’s Port of Churchill, the Hudson Bay Railway and inland freight facilities to global markets. The proposed expansion, which could require up to US$57 billion in investment, aims to...Read More
The federal government has announced proposed amendments to the Clean Fuel Regulations aimed at improving the competitiveness of Canadian low-carbon fuel producers, encouraging clean technology investments and reducing regulatory compliance costs. The changes would support projects such as carbon capture and storage at ethanol facilities and the co-processing of bio-based feedstocks, including canola oil, at...Read More
Canada and the European Union are considering long-term LNG supply arrangements as Europe faces rising natural gas prices, low storage levels and continued disruptions to global energy supplies. A draft joint statement for the October 29–30 EU-Canada summit in Montreal proposes a feasibility study on Canadian LNG exports to Europe, along with cooperation on electricity...Read More
The federal government has maintained the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act after the House of Commons defeated Conservative Bill C-264 on October 28, preserving restrictions on tankers carrying more than 12,500 tonnes of crude oil or persistent oils at ports along B.C.’s North Coast. Conservatives argued that repealing the legislation would support Canadian energy exports to...Read More
The Vancouver Island Whale Society is calling for tighter federal regulations on whale-watching activities in the Salish Sea, citing concerns over vessel congestion, underwater noise and disturbances to marine mammals. A petition with more than 8,000 signatures proposes increasing minimum approach distances to 400 metres for most whales, limiting viewing vessels to four at a...Read More
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) CEO Keith Creel has raised concerns over Union Pacific’s proposed US$85-billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern, alleging that some shippers have faced pressure to publicly support the merger. The proposed transaction, currently under U.S. regulatory review, could create a railway controlling approximately 40% of American freight traffic, raising concerns about reduced...Read More
The Nanaimo Port authority has published its proposed tariffs for 2027 on its website. Persons interested in making representations in writing regarding the proposed changes can do so by email to info@npa.caRead More
The Canadian Coast Guard participated in the North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum Summit in Reykjavík, Iceland, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to strengthening maritime security and international cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic. During the summit, Commissioner Kevin Brosseau signed a Cooperation Plan with the Icelandic Coast Guard focused on joint exercises, training, maritime domain awareness,...Read More
The U.S. Coast Guard has completed a 112-day Arctic patrol aboard Cutter Munro, covering more than 23,000 nautical miles across the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean while monitoring three Chinese-flagged research vessels operating near U.S. Arctic waters. The mission included joint exercises with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Armed Forces to strengthen maritime domain...Read More
Russia is preparing to dispatch its first tanker carrying approximately 40,000 tonnes of diesel, equivalent to 300,000 barrels, to the United States under a fuel supply agreement reached between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. The agreement initially includes shipments of 500,000 tonnes of Russian diesel, with additional deliveries expected as Moscow gradually increases exports....Read More
Chinook salmon returns to the Cowichan River on Vancouver Island have exceeded last year’s total, with more than 20,000 fish recorded by the Cowichan Tribes and Fisheries and Oceans Canada counting fence as of October 21. This represents approximately 2,000 more Chinook than the entire 2025 run, with several weeks remaining in the spawning season....Read More
The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has unanimously dismissed Trigon Pacific Terminals’ complaint alleging that ILWU Local 523A failed to bargain in good faith, confirming that the strike, which began October 2, is lawful. The labour dispute affects Trigon’s bulk export terminal on Ridley Island in Prince Rupert, which handles coal and petroleum coke for...Read More
Researchers have confirmed the birth of a new male southern resident killer whale calf, designated J65, spotted alongside its mother, J35, in waters near British Columbia on October 19. The calf, believed to be less than a week old, appears healthy and has been observed swimming, socializing and nursing. J65 is J35’s sixth documented calf,...Read More
U.S. LNG producer Cheniere Energy has signed two long-term sale and purchase agreements with QatarEnergy to supply a combined four million tonnes of LNG annually from its Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi facilities. Deliveries will begin in the early 2030s and continue through 2054, with pricing linked to Henry Hub natural gas prices plus a...Read More
Record diesel prices and tightening trucking capacity are driving more long-haul freight onto U.S. rail networks, boosting third-quarter revenues and profits for Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern and CSX. Diesel prices reached $6.53 per gallon in September amid the Middle East conflict, making rail transportation increasingly cost-competitive. Union Pacific reported a 13% year-over-year increase in domestic...Read More
The federal government has announced an investment of up to $254 million through the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund to strengthen Port Saint John’s infrastructure and increase its annual container-handling capacity to between 850,000 and one million TEUs. The Saint John Trade Corridor project includes expanded warehousing, a new CBSA container examination facility, marine dredging and...Read More
Two Greenpeace activists were arrested after boarding Woodside Energy’s offshore Scarborough LNG platform in Western Australia, forcing a suspension of pre-commissioning activities. The activists were protesting Woodside’s proposed $34-billion Browse gas development, citing concerns over potential impacts on coral reefs and endangered whale populations. Woodside disputes these environmental claims and stated that the protest created...Read More
NYK conducted a full-day emergency response exercise on September 30, simulating the grounding of a large bulk carrier and subsequent fuel oil spill in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. The drill involved a simulated 100,000-GT vessel experiencing steering failure, with participants coordinating emergency response, oil spill containment and recovery, vessel safety measures and communications with authorities....Read More
China Shipowners Mutual Assurance Association (China P&I Club) has formally applied to join the International Group of P&I Clubs, potentially becoming its first mainland Chinese member. Already an approved reinsured association within the Group, China P&I currently covers approximately 104.8 million gross tonnes across 2,199 vessels and ranks among the world’s largest marine liability insurers....Read More
The Swinomish and Squaxin Island tribes have filed a federal lawsuit challenging changes to the U.S. Endangered Species Act that narrow the interpretation of harm to protected species, potentially reducing protections for critical habitats. The tribes argue that the changes, which took effect September 14, could undermine salmon recovery efforts, Indigenous treaty rights and consultation...Read More
