Strikes in Canada's Vancouver and Prince Rupert lead to containerships waiting in line

Since November 6, 2024, the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert on Canada's west coast have been shut down due to labour disputes. The 700 foremen of the International Longshoremen & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local Chapter 514 were locked out of the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) after the union rejected a "final" contract offer from the employer side. In addition, the union also opposes the introduction of automation technology in port operations.

As of Nov. 8, a total of 11 containerships were waiting near Vancouver and Prince Rupert, including seven at the Port of Vancouver, according to supply chain data analytics firm Everstream Analytics. This figure is up from six before the strike, and it is expected that the waiting Quantity will continue to rise as more vessels arrive.

Port Introduction

• Port of Vancouver: Located in southwestern British Columbia, Canada, it is one of Canada's largest ports and one of North America's most important gateways to International. The port handles about $80 billion in goods trade every year, and the main import and export commodities include agricultural products, auto parts, electronic products, etc.
• Prince Rupert: Located in northern British Columbia, Canada, it is the second largest port in Canada. The port is strategically located as an important hub connecting Asia and North America, especially in rail transportation, and can transport goods directly to Chicago and the Midwest of the United States.