Service Update – All Modes
Truck, Air, and Ports all report operations remain normal.
The Port of Montreal has reported today as follows:
The Port of Montreal, for its part, is still operating at full capacity to keep goods moving smoothly.
In this context, “full capacity” means the full capacity of port facilities are open and available to meet supply chain demands
Rail
CP reports on its flood watch in Manitoba and Iowa as follows.
Emerson: the Red River crest is now expected between April 18 and April 21. No imminent risk anticipated at this time to our operations.
Davenport: the Mississippi River crest did not reach the level required to impact service and is now generally receding.
A news item from earlier in the month reports that CN had suspended service in BC between Williams Lake and Squamish due to a significant drop in traffic. The report can be found at the following link.
https://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/119278/cn-service-between-williams-lake-and-squamish-suspended/
Marine
There is no new information on the proposed suspension of service to Newfoundland by Oceanex. The latest media report states that supply chains are being maintained and there is no shortage of food or other supplies at this time. The news item can be found at the following link.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/atlantic-grocery-distributors-prices-rise-1.5534470
Supply Chain Commentaries
Air Cargo Charter Rates
The global demand for urgently needed pandemic related supplies has caused air cargo charter prices to rise between two and five times normal rates depending on the routes. The article from the American Journal of Transportation can be accessed at the following link.
https://ajot.com/news/the-amad-rusha-for-medical-gear-triples-air-cargo-rates
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 are on the FMA 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 .
The FMA updates focus on the impacts of COVID-19 on supply chains.
Information and questions from members are encouraged and will be useful in our continuing outreach to members and in our communications with the government and with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. All individual company information will be kept confidential.
