Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau won the 44th general election this week to form another minority government. Prime Minister Trudeau’s election promises included some key items of interest, including a ban on thermal coal exports by 2030, a plan to introduce 10 new marine conservation areas over the next 5 years, and advancing the Blue Economy...Read More
American Seafoods and others recently fined for Jones Act violations for using the so-called Bayside Program to bring Alaska-sourced seafood to the US East Coast are awaiting a ruling from Alaska’s District Court Judge. The Bayside Program has been fined nearly USD 500 million for their use of a 100-foot, dead-end railway in New Brunswick...Read More
This week the BC Provincial Government announced the appointment of an advisory committee to support the development of a long-term provincial shipbuilding strategy to ensure the continued growth of this vibrant sector and create good, family-supporting jobs. The BC Shipbuilding Advisory Committee will recommend strategic actions for government and industry to support robust, sustainable and...Read More
Tucked away on the deck of the offshore supply ship, Atlantic Condor, is a portable chemistry lab developed by a group of scientists from Dalhousie University through the Modular Ocean Research Infrastructure program largely funded by Irving Shipbuilding and MEOPAR. With limited availability and access to research vessels, portable labs can transform any vessel into...Read More
Widespread COVID-19 lockdowns have shut down a significant portion of factory production in southern Vietnam. The manufacturing hub of Ho Chi Minh City has been under Vietnamese army control since Aug. 23. Vessel delays and unstable schedules are also being reported by forwarders, with the Ho Chi Minh City port of Tan Cang Cat Lai...Read More
This week the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority released its 2021 mid-year statistics. From January 1 to June 30, 2021, overall cargo volumes through Canada’s largest port reached a record high of 76.4 million metric tonnes (MMT), up 7% from 2020 mid-year, and 5% above the previous record set in 2019. Sectors that experienced strong growth...Read More
Port of Prince Rupert employers, industries, and labour organizations have established the Port of Prince Rupert Gateway Council (Gateway Council) and released an economic impact study that revealed strong employment benefits associated with the movement of trade through the Prince Rupert Gateway that helped offset the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Economic Impact...Read More
On Sept. 21 the container vessel, MSC Auriga, arrived and broke all previous records for the largest vessel to berth at DP World’s Fairview Container Terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert. With a capacity of 15,000 TEUs, the MSC Auriga operates in the Santana service (SAN) that includes the ports of Yantian, Shanghai, LA-Long...Read More
The Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA) and the Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) in conjunction with Conqora Capital Partners Inc. (Conqora) have entered into agreements for the purpose of providing a high-speed passenger ferry service that will connect Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver. The NPA has entered into a long-term lease agreement with Conqora which provides access to...Read More
The Liza Unity FPSO is the world’s first floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) carrier to receive the SUSTAIN-1 Class Notation from ABS. The notion means that the design and construction of the unit are assessed against and adheres to the requirements of the ABS Guide for Sustainability Notations. The Liza Unity FPSO departed from...Read More
On a miserable morning, a team from Fraser Health ventured on board a vessel at Westshore Terminals today to vaccinate 12 happy crew members with their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Earlier this week a Vancouver Coastal Health team boarded three vessels by water to vaccinate seafarers in the Port of Vancouver, and last...Read More
Sept. 25th – Join the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s ECHO team and the BC Cetacean Sightings Network at Jericho Beach for a special shoreline clean-up for BC’s whales. This event is part of a series of Coastal Cleanups in honour of International Coastal Cleanup Day to help reduce the threat of pollution to BC’s whales...Read More
DP World and FESCO, Russia’s largest intermodal transport operator, are working together to study the potential for a new container berth in the far east of Russia. The new berth would help to expand Vladivostok Commercial Seaport as a major transshipment hub for cargo from countries in East Asia to North-West Europe via the Northern...Read More
A feasibility study is underway to look at the development of a 370-km rail line in northern Quebec that would extend the CN rail network to connect to the Port of Baie-Comeau. According to the federal government’s initial announcement of the project, the railway would move an estimated 800 cars per day, carrying bulk solid...Read More
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is mving two demurrage-and-detention related initiatives proposed by Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye as part of Fact Finding 29. The first initiative is to issue a policy statement on issues that affect the ability of shippers, truckers, and others to obtain reparations for conduct that violates the Shipping Act, including conduct...Read More
DP World Fraser Surrey has advised that the temporary draft restrictions in the Fraser River for both the lower and upper berths at DP World Fraser Surrey have now been removed and draft restrictions have been returned to the standard 11.5 meters effective today.Read More
In a LinkedIn post Maersk CEO Soren Skou noted the European Commission is proposing to end production of combustion engines in 2035. Skou noted that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) should do the same for fossil fuelled ships with ambitious target and measures to decarbonize shipping. The Maersk CEO further wrote “Combined, a global carbon...Read More
The vessel Zhen Hua completed its delivery of two new ship-to-shore gantry cranes for DP World’s Centerm container terminal in the Port of Vancouver this week. As part of Centerm’s $320 million expansion plan, the new gantry cranes are part of upgrades that will result in increasing the terminal capacity by 66%, from 900,000 TEUs...Read More
On the first day of London International Shipping Week, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published new and updated guidance to protect seafarers and shipowners against the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. The free resources include guidance on vaccinations, manning agents, mental health issues, and shore leave. The resources have been created in association...Read More
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) have entered into a US$ 31-billion merger agreement to create the first single-line rail network linking the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. CP will acquire KCS in a stock and cash transaction totalling to approximately US$31 billion. The combined entity will be named Canadian Pacific Kansas...Read More
As noted in our circular of August 4th, the Chamber of Shipping has been working with the Province of British Columbia and the four regional health authorities to develop a program to support the immunization of seafarers. Recognizing that each region has different resources, capabilities, and demands, we are extremely pleased that the health authorities...Read More
Consultations on British Columbia’s Off-Dock Drayage Recommendation Report are moving to the next phase with face-to-face meetings between the BC container trucking commissioner and key stakeholders set to take place next week. The Off-Dock Drayage Recommendation Report was published on May 12, 2021, in response to a request from Transportation Minister Rob Fleming to examine opportunities...Read More
With recent COVID-19 closures in Chinese ports, vessels are encountering challenges with obtaining the required phytosanitary certificates from the recognized Asian Gypsy Moth inspection authorities. The US Department of Agriculture has issued new guidance to address these challenges. The guidance is similar to what the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has advised, however no official update...Read More
Seafarers will be getting a pay raise of 4.5% over the next two years after striking a deal with maritime employers represented by the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG). The International Bargaining Forum (IBF), which brings together the seafarers represented by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the JNG, has agreed to an increase on...Read More
The Federal Maritime Commission today announced the membership of its newly formed National Shipper Advisory Committee. The Committee is comprised of 24 members, evenly divided between those who export cargo from and those who import cargo to the United States, that will advise the Commission on policies relating to the competitiveness, reliability, integrity, and fairness of...Read More
While 44 container ships can be seen idling off the coast of Los Angeles-Long Beach today, the ports are preparing for a record 20 million TEU year. In the first seven months of 2021, the ports handled a combined total of 11.9 million laden and empty TEU, according to the ports’ respective websites. That is...Read More
The Port of Halifax will receive the first direct call between the West Coast of India and a Canadian port when the maiden call of the MSC Indus 2 Service arrives early next month. The service will berth at the South End Container Terminal operated by PSA Halifax. The first sailing from Mundra commenced on...Read More
The Canadian Coast Guard crew recently carried out a joint search and rescue exercise with partners from the United States Coast Guard and Canadian Rangers, while respecting COVID-19 protocols, near Resolute Bay, Nunavut on September 6th, 2021. The exercise involved Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Amundsen, and United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Healy searching the area for...Read More
The global trade association for ship operators, the International Chamber of Shipping, (ICS) has put forward a comprehensive proposal for a global levy on carbon emissions from ships, in what would be a first for any industrial sector. ICS, which represents the world’s national shipowner associations and more than 80% of the merchant fleet, presented...Read More
Containers started arriving this week at the newly opened Pacific Transload Express facility adjacent to CP’s Vancouver Intermodal Facility. The 117,000 square foot facility developed by Maersk Canada and Canadian Pacific is expected to eliminate more than 100,000 truck trips per year in the Vancouver area—almost 60,000 round trips per year—and save more than 4,000...Read More
The Port of Coos Bay is partnering with NorthPoint Development to build a multimodal container facility in Coos Bay on the Oregon Coast. With a memorandum of understanding in place, the port and NorthPoint aim to finalize a contract by the end of the year, with construction expected to be completed within five years. The...Read More
The Mission to Seafarers’ annual cycling event held on Saturday, August 28th saw great support despite ever-changing rules as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. A small group of cyclists joined in the 40km and 60km ride to end the summer-long fundraiser. Winning the team fundraising challenge this year was the Pacific Pilotage Authority, followed...Read More
The Chamber of Shipping has been working with local health authorities and industry partners to support the vaccination of seafarers arriving at west coast ports. Over the past week and a half clinicians visited five vessels in the Lower Mainland and vaccinated just over 75 crew members. Three vessels were boarded at anchor in English...Read More
The Government of Canada has issued a Travel Advisory confirming that it will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals meeting the conditions to enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) purposes starting at 12:01 am EDT on September 7, 2021. Asymptomatic travellers must have received, and show proof of, the full series of a vaccine — or combination of...Read More
Norwegian Azane Fuel Solutions and its partners have secured a $10m grant from the Norwegian government for the development and establishment of what will become the world’s first terminal for green ammonia bunkering. The project partners, spanning the entire value chain for ammonia as a marine fuel, will develop and demonstrate an ammonia fuel bunkering...Read More
The Board of Directors of the BC Maritime Employers Association advised that its member companies will be observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday, September 30th as a working holiday for Longshore and Foremen. All waterfront activities will continue to operate as usual and this day will be treated in the same...Read More
The US Surface Transportation Board (STB) has blocked Canadian National Railway’s proposal to create a voting trust in its bid to acquire Kansas City Southern. The STB determined that the voting trust “is not consistent with the public interest standard under the board’s merger regulations.” The STB’s unanimous decision throws into question CN’s US$29.8-billion bid...Read More
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is undertaking a competitive process to select an operator to provide tug services for Roberts Bank which will operate from the Roberts Bank Tug Basin located at Berth 3 at the Deltaport terminal. Through this competitive process, the VFPA intends to select an operator who is aligned with its values...Read More
Who would have thought upholding safety at sea would mean caring for a cat and her new litter of kittens on board an LNG carrier? For those on board the Lobito’s journey from Singapore to La Reunion, this was just the case when a pregnant cat decided to leave Singapore behind and stowed away on board...Read More
As part of Seaspan Ferries’ efforts to reduce fleet emissions and explore alternative, low-carbon technologies, the company will pilot battery-powered trucks procured with the support of the Province of British Columbia and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. Seaspan Ferries Corporation has placed an order for the first Terberg battery powered terminal trucks in North America,...Read More
Canadian dry bulk operator, Fednav Limited, has signed an agreement with Sumisho Marine Co., Ltd. (Sumitomo Corporation Group) and Oshima Shipbuilding to build ten new ocean-going lakers. The ships will be built at Oshima shipyard in Japan, with the first vessel expected to be delivered in mid-2023. The new Fednav-Oshima designed super-eco Lakers represent the...Read More
Built in 2021, the Grande California is among the largest and most eco-friendly car carriers in the world. With a length of 199.9 metres and a beam of 36.45 metres, the Grande California has a gross tonnage of 65,255 tonnes and a service speed of 19 knots. The Italian-flagged ship can transport around 7,600 CEU...Read More
Washington state’s ferry service is facing a potential slow down over Labour Day weekend when crew members are expected to stage “sickouts” in response to the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Sickouts are expected on all ferry routes by ferry workers who are opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate requiring state employees, health care employees and...Read More
As the International Day of Charity (Sunday, September 5, 2021) draws closer, Mercy Ships has announced that the Global Mercy completed its journey through the Suez Canal. The Global Mercy, the newest hospital ship of Mercy Ships, is in the last leg of the journey to the Port of Antwerp, where it will be further...Read More
The White House announced that John D. Porcari will be the Port Envoy to the Biden-Harris Administration Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force. The Task Force was established in June to address supply and demand mismatches that emerged in several sectors as the economy reawakened following the Administration’s historic vaccination and economic relief efforts. Transportation Secretary...Read More
This week, Chamber member A.P. Moller – Maersk announced that it will introduce the first in a groundbreaking series of 8 large ocean-going container vessels capable of being operated on carbon neutral methanol in 2024. The vessels will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and have a nominal capacity of approx. 16,000 containers (Twenty...Read More
BC Ferries revealed the names of its third and fourth Island Class ferries at a special naming ceremony at Victoria’s Point Hope Maritime. Island Nagalis and Island K’ulut’a are the newest vessels to enter the fleet, allowing two-ship service to begin on the Campbell River – Quadra Island route in 2022. BC Ferries selected the names...Read More
The Ningbo-Zhoushan port’s Meidong container terminal reopened on Wednesday, after being closed for two weeks due to a COVID-19 outbreak and one week after some cargo operations commenced on a limited basis. The Meidong terminal closed on Aug. 11 after a carrier worker tested positive for COVID-19. According to local reports, subsequent testing of about 50,000...Read More
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will proceed with the resumption of service at various small marine reporting sites, airports of entry and ferry terminals over the coming days and weeks. This follows the coming into force of new public health measures affecting travel to Canada for fully vaccinated United States (U.S.) citizens and permanent...Read More
On July 28, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Diamond Gas Victoria was delivered. The new ship will transport LNG from British Columbia for the LNG Canada project, as well as from other locations around the world, under a long-term time-charter contract with Diamond Gas International Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation...Read More
