Marine Container Examinations

May 18, 2006

18 May 2006

Marine Container Examinations

The Québec region has provided an update on the discussions they have been having regarding the timeliness of marine container examinations at the port of Montréal.

So far:

a.. It appears the delay in examinations may be due to the increased number of examinations

b.. Targets are not met at Tellier, due to various factors, including the fact that terminals are taking from 5 - 10 days to release containers for movement to Tellier

c.. ACI is also causing delays

d.. CSCB agreed to discuss with the Shipping Federation and have advised of their concerns in writing

e.. A meeting was held in March among the Shipping Federation, the CSCB, and CBSA

f.. The following points were some of those discussed and\or agreed to at the March meeting:

1. Tellier have thirteen docking bays, ten are used for CBSA and three for CFIA

2. In addition, the use of a VACIS unit was secured and is used at the Montréal wharf, with fees being charged for each examination

3. CBSA provide examination officers on business days from 7:30 to 23:30. The period between 23:30 to 7:30 is used by the warehouse facility to reload containers

4. The majority of containers arrive at the Montréal harbor terminals from Thursday to Sunday

5. The Montréal wharf operators generally close their gates on weekends and holidays

6. If the Montréal wharf operators agree to provide access to their facilities on weekends and holidays, CBSA would also provide services during these periods

7. Currently the port of Montréal is targeting 1.2 to 1.5 percent of containers for examination whereas the national average is 3 percent

f.. It was agreed that a small committee would be formed in order to continue to monitor this issue.


Topic(s): 
Canadian Economy & Politics
Information Source: 
Canadian News Channel
Document Type: 
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