Maersk to Limit Canada-Bound Cargo Ahead of Possible Rail Work Stoppage

Wall Street Journal
Paul Vieira
Aug. 20, 2024

Wall Street Journal featured our VP of Global Supply Chain, Paul Brashier, in a recent article commenting on current conditions ahead of the looming possibility of a strike or lockout starting as soon as Thursday at both Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City. The Canadian railroads say their negotiations with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference union appear to be at an impasse, and as a result, Canadian railroads have gradually wound down their operations in preparation for a labor disruption and are no longer transporting hazardous goods, among other shipments.

ITS Logistics said some Canada-bound ocean cargo was already shifting to U.S. West Coast ports as carriers look to avoid any rail disruption in Canada.

Some goods destined for Canada that move by rail through Chicago will instead shift to trucks, said Paul Brashier, vice president of global supply chain at ITS. “When and if this happens, it will drive rates through the roof overnight, if [trucking] capacity can be obtained at all,” he said.

Read the full article here.