Newsletter – December 19, 2023

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Update
The Port of Vancouver issued an update on the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project. The port said it continues to advance the project towards an operations start date in the mid-2030s. In 2024, it will continue:
•    Working on its Species at Risk Act-compliant Fisheries Act Authorization application
•    Consulting and collaborating with First Nations on mitigation measures, habitat offsetting projects, and economic opportunities
•    Engaging with regulators
•    Preparing for a final investment decision and successful construction phase

Carriers roll out peak season surcharges as capacity crunch looms
theloadstar.com
Ocean carriers are imposing emergency peak season surcharges (PSSs) as global supply chains face weeks of disruption with ships being re-routed via Southern Africa instead of using the much shorter transit via the Suez Canal.
Japanese carrier ONE said today that from 1 January it would introduce an emergency PSS of $500 per teu on the Asia-Europe westbound trade, “in view of continuous strong demand … in order to maintain space provision, equipment supply and product service levels”. Read more here (login required.)

OOCL Stops Serving Israel Because of “Operational Issues”
maritime-executive.com
Chinese container carrier OOCL has decided to suspend all shipments to and from Israeli seaports, the company announced Saturday.
“Due to operational issues, OOCL will stop cargo acceptance to and from Israel with immediate effect until further notice,” the firm said in a one-sentence statement on its website.  Read more here.

GROUND FREIGHT UPDATES

Teamsters, B.C. container commissioner square off
trucknews.com
The Office of B.C. Container Trucking Commissioner (OBCCTC) and unionized trucking companies in Greater Vancouver are in heated debates over a new policy that applies port rates to off-dock trucking.
OBCCTC believes this is the way to achieve stability and equal driver pay in the Lower Mainland. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

‘Blockbuster’ storm knocks out electricity from New York to Virginia
ajot.com
A “blockbuster” storm tearing up the East Coast that has already knocked out power to more than 500,000 customers and grounded hundreds of flights promises to bring flooding rain and dangerous winds through Monday.
The heaviest rain will likely fall across eastern New York and western Massachusetts, with as much as 5 inches (12 centimeters) hitting the ground, said Rob Carolan, owner of Hometown Forecast Services, which provides forecasts to Bloomberg Radio. Read more here.