The global ocean shipping industry that handles 80 per cent of world trade is navigating a sea of unknowns as U.S. President Donald Trump stokes trade and geopolitical tensions with historical foes as well as neighbors and allies.
Port of Montreal terminal operators have threatened to shut down most operations as of Sunday after providing a "final, comprehensive offer" to the longshore union.
Canada's exports of canola oil and forest products from West Coast ports, including the Port of Vancouver, have halted due to a labor dispute, producers said on Thursday.
Reuters – Unionized workers started an unlimited strike at two terminals of the port of Montreal on Thursday amid stalled talks on a new labor contract, the employers’ association said. The strike affects two terminals operated by Termont, which handle about 40 per cent of the port’s container traffic but only about 15 per cent
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Monday he and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan had discussed safe navigation for shipping in the Black Sea.
Dozens of groups including the American Farm Bureau Federation, Renewable Fuels Association and American Chemistry Council said "the time has come for the U.S. government to intervene and ensure port operations do not stop" in order to prevent damage to U.S. agriculture and the economy.
Some 45,000 union workers could walk off the job at seaports on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts on Oct 1, cutting off vital trade arteries just weeks ahead of the nation's presidential election.
Global shipping bottlenecks appear to be easing and could make way for lower shipping costs, though fuel prices remain a wildcard according to analysis from Farm Credit Canada (FCC).