Newsletter – December 1, 2021

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Japan Asks Airlines To Stop Accepting New Flight Bookings Until 2022

simpleflying.com
The Japanese government has asked airlines to stop accepting new bookings on flights to Japan over heightened concerns about the new omicron virus variant. The announcement from the Japanese transport ministry followed the news that a second traveler from overseas had tested positive for the variant. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Port of Vancouver Operations Update – November 30

ciffa.com
Heavy rainfall across southwestern B.C. will continue through Wednesday, with improved weather forecast for Thursday and Friday. New evacuation orders for multiple communities have been issued.
The provincial state of emergency declared by the B.C. Minister of Public Safety has been extended to December 14.
Rail operations: CP and CN eastbound and westbound trains continue to transit on CP’s mainline between Vancouver and Kamloops. Enhanced rail infrastructure inspections and maintenance are ongoing. CN engineering teams continue to undertake repairs at a site impacted by heavy precipitation. A timeline for restored rail operations through the site is currently unavailable.
Truck operations: Container terminal truck activity is steady. Restored highway routes include detours, intermittent closures and essential-traffic-only restrictions. Proactive closures may occur when heavy rainfall is forecast. Reconstruction and repairs continue on major roadways across the region.
Marine operations: Demand for anchorages currently exceeds capacity.

Port of Vancouver congestion worsens

splash247.com
More than 50 ships were waiting on Monday to unload at the beleaguered Port of Vancouver, still dealing with the impacts of a major storm two weeks ago and ongoing rain that continues to set back reconstruction efforts in the province of British Columbia. A provincial state of emergency has now been extended to December 14. Read more here.

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

Two B.C. container fleets face strike action by Dec. 3

trucknews.com
Truck drivers with two fleets that serve the Port of Vancouver could go on strike as soon as Dec. 3, adding to supply chain disruptions linked to B.C. floods.
Unifor has issued 72 hours notice of the strike, following a vote by container truck drivers at Aheer and Prudential Transportation. They’re looking for the fleets to adopt a pattern collective agreement reached in August with Harbour Link Transportation. Read more here.

CN calls a halt to reopening in BC

insidelogistics.ca
Flooding in southern B.C. continues to present logistical challenges for exporters as Canadian National Railway Co. shut its service along the key freight corridor because of heavy precipitation and traffic is moving slowly through the Port of Vancouver. Read more here.

CANADA BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Labour and supply chain top concerns for manufacturers

insidelogistics.ca
Labour shortages, supply chain disruptions, and higher input costs are Canadian Manufacturers’ main concerns going into 2022.
According to the results of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters’s (CME) national business outlook survey of manufacturing companies, these problems are hampering the sector’s recovery despite strong demand for their goods and an optimistic outlook. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Walmart CEO Says Biden Supply Chain Push Is Easing Bottlenecks

gcaptain.com
Walmart Inc Chief Executive Doug McMillon on Monday hailed the Biden administration’s efforts to ease supply chain bottlenecks as the holiday season gets underway, noting the decision to extend port hours was having a positive impact on the flow of goods.
“We are seeing progress. The port and transit delays are improving,” McMillon told President Joe Biden during a White House meeting with CEOs to discuss supply chain issues. Read more here.

Auto Chip Shortage Shows New Sign of Easing as Inventories Rise

asia.nikkei.com
In a sign that the global supply of chips for the auto industry is improving after months of shortages, inventories have risen for the first time in nine months at leading suppliers.
Inventories were up in value terms at the end of September at Japan’s Renesas Electronics, Dutch supplier NXP Semiconductors, Germany’s Infineon Technologies, Switzerland-based STMicroelectronics and U.S.-based Texas Instruments. Read more here.