If strikes or delays are to occur on the U.S. West Coast, Canada's Port Metro Vancouver has said the decision whether to accept increased shipments will be made by its individual terminal operators.

The port's public affairs director Robyn Crisanti told www.freshfruitportal.com any new business was always welcome but shippers should speak to the operators directly.

"Port Metro Vancouver always receives interested shippers based in the U.S. to explore the Vancouver option as part of their supply chain diversification strategy," Crisanti said in a statement.

"In the context of any potential labour disruption on the US West Coast ports, it's up to the container terminal operators to decide whether they want to accept new business.

"It's prudent for shippers to get in contact with their ocean carriers who will consult their railway providers (CN and CPR) that the railways have capacity on their system."

Negotiations are ongoing between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), with the contract having expired at the end of last month.

While at present no delays or strikes are expected, many in the industry are being cautious with what consignments they send through the 29 West Coast ports in question.

Crisanti also said it was hard to answer the question of whether the port would be capable of handling a sudden and sharp increase in activity as there were other supply chain players involved.

"We are seeing some diversion of cargo to Vancouver but we can't speak to what decisions are being made by individual terminals operators or supply chain partners or how those decisions might impact capacity going forward," Crisanti said.

According to Port Metro Vancouver's website, it is the fourth largest in North America by tonnage and facilitates trade with more than 160 world economies.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

www.freshfruitportal.com