26 June 2002

Vancouver says diverters will have to wait

The following article is excerpted from the 26 June 2002 online edition of the Journal of Commerce.

The Port of Vancouver, Canada's largest maritime gateway, said it will give priority to current customers over diverted cargo in case of a job action by dockworkers at U.S. West Coast ports next month.

The port's three container terminals will pre-authorize additional cargo from current customers wherever possible, but no new service strings from current customers will be accepted.

In a statement issued after "numerous service inquiries" were received, Kevin Little, senior vice president of business development for the Vancouver Port Authority VPA), said, "While our wish is always to serve our customers requests, in a situation such as this it is simply impossible for the Port of Vancouver to fully service the needs of the entire west coast of North America. Moving the containers of our current customers at service levels they expect is our first priority."

The contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), whose employees work West Coast ports including Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland, and terminal operators represented by the Pacific Maritime Association, expires July 1. Little progress has been made since negotiations began May 13.

The VPA indicated that requests for the handling of additional U.S. cargo aboard current strings calling Vancouver "will be considered and accommodated if at all possible. However, final confirmation of how much will be accepted from each vessel must be obtained from the respective terminal operator prior to vessel arrival.

"All rail and/or truck arrangements for U.S.-bound cargo must be verified with the terminals prior to the unloading of these containers from the vessel."