Volume IX - The Thirty-First of July, 2024

Threat of Canadian West Coast Port Strike Grows

Hearings at the CIRB between the ILWU and the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) set to be held Aug 6-9. Although talks of strike seem likely, ILWU ensures no action toward a strike will be taken until August meetings are complete. If union members vote in favor of a strike at ports across British Columbia the ILWU has to give 72-hour notice of the planned strike action. Prepare to see freight rerouted to alternate ports as uncertainty clouds over WC Canadian ports during peak import months. 

Chinese Container Ships Take Arctic Shortcut Avoiding Red Sea

“Two Chinese container ships have set course for the Arctic. The vessels intend to use Russia’s Northern Sea Route as a shortcut to connect ports in China with destinations in Europe. The Arctic route allows operators to avoid the troublesome waters of the Red Sea without detouring via the Cape of Good Hope. Xin Xin Hai 1 departed from the Port of Taicang near Shanghai on July 5 and has since passed through the Bering Strait and onto the Northern Sea Route. The 21,279 deadweight tons (DWT) vessel can carry 1,220 standard containers (TEU).While parts of the route are already free of sea ice for the summer, more challenging conditions in the East Siberian Sea mandate an icebreaker escort for the light ice-class vessel.”

Port Houston Surpasses 2mln TEUs Faster Than Ever

“Loaded exports also grew considerably, up 11 per cent this month at 114,728 TEU. YTD loaded exports are up 14 per cent at 769,844 TEU.”

“General cargo was down 10 per cent YTD at Port Houston’s multipurpose facilities, but steel imports were up 2 per cent this month against June 2023.”

“Furthermore, plywood has climbed by 4,215 per cent year so far, despite its relatively small total volume of 45,013 short tons.”

“Total tonnage across all facilities continues positive, with a 5 per cent rise in the first half of the year compared to the previous year.”

Supply Chain, Logistics, and Trucking News & Data - FreightWaves

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References & Additional Articles

Port Houston surpasses 2mln TEUs faster than ever

Trucking associations say employers abusing LMIA system to recruit workers 

Chinese Container Ships Take Arctic Shortcut Avoiding Red Sea  

Red Sea crisis reaches peak impact on box ships (seatrade-maritime.com)

Typhoon Hits Taiwan: 6 Crew Missing, 3 Rescued, Multiple Vessels Grounded (maritime-executive.com) 

Threat of Canada West Coast port strike grows (seatrade-maritime.com) 

Philippines Works to Clear Oil Spill as Salvage Planned for Lost Tanker (maritime-executive.com)