Service Update – All Modes
Truck, Rail, Air and Ports all report operations remain normal. In discussion with other shipper associations today, it appears that there is an improvement in the availability of containers for export shipments on the west coast.
Rail
CP has flagged concern about possible flooding on the their lines in Manitoba near the Red River and has provided the following comments.
We are closely monitoring water level conditions across our full network including the Emerson subdivision. The Red River crest is expected between April 15 and April 18. No imminent risk anticipated at this time to our operations.
CP is proactively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic situation and taking appropriate action where required. Our trains continue to operate throughout North America and the U.S.-Canada border remains open for trade.
Marine
There have been reports in recent days that Oceanex, the shipping line serving Newfoundand from Montreal (2 sailings per week) and Halifax (one sailing per week), is experiencing losses with the significant decline in traffic due to COVID-19. The Oceanex management is requesting financial assistance from the federal government to prevent cancelling one, and maybe two sailings per week.
Should the reduction in service take place, it would have serious impacts on food supply and other vital cargo required in Newfoundland such as the supply of chemicals for water treatment. The federal government is considering ways to address this problem and details can befound at the following two links.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/newfoundland-labrador-pandemic-covid-coronavirus-1.5530903
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/seamus-o-regan-oceanex-1.5531337
Supply Chain Commentaries
Progressive Railroading is reporting that with the major decline in sales of crude oil and related products, the North American petroleum industry is attempting to use railway tank cars to store surplus supplies. The U.S. Railroads are resisting this request for safety reasons. The Progressive Railroading article can be found at the red bar below.
FMA Government Relations
FMA has continuing communications with Transport Canada Surface Policy and Marine Policy officials and with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Any issues that FMA members wish to bring to the attention of of government officials can be forwarded by FMA to the appropriate people at Transport Canada or telephone calls can be arranged with officials.
FMA Office Operations
FMA staff are primarily working from home. If you need to talk with us, please send messages to me at the email address below and leave a phone number where you can be reached.
Updates Now on the Website
All the COVID-19 updates that FMA has issued are now uploaded to the website and there is a link to them on the home page at www.fma-agf.ca .
Our focus in the FMA updates continues be on supply-chain impacts of COVID-19. If members have questions where FMA may be able to help, please email your request.
Information from members will be useful in our continuing outreach to members and in our communications with the government and with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. As always, all individual company information will be kept confidential.
