Summary of Developments as of evening November 25.
- Check the “DriveBC” link below for the latest on road status
- CP reports trains operating Kamloops – Vancouver
- CN expected to open their line within the next 24 hours
- Truckers at 2 companies serving Port container terminals vote to strike
- Port of Vancouver reports anchorage demand remains high
CP Update – Late Nov. 25
Thompson & Cascade Subdivisions
Trains have started to move through the region again. CP is working diligently to move the trains that had been en-route to Vancouver when the weather event occurred.
Now that operations have resumed, our focus turns to safely moving the customer goods that had been stalled for eight days to their destination.
CP appreciates the patience and cooperation of its customers as we work together to reset the supply chain.
We will continue to provide updates and work directly with affected customers as the situation evolves.
CN Update Nov. 25
No update received on November 25
Wayside Observance of Train Operations
The Western Canadian Shippers Coalition (WCSC) reports on the train movements observed by the RailState Wayside system in the 24 hour period up to 0630 hours November 25 as follows.
- 11/24 9 westbound trains past Mission on CP, 7 CP trains, 2 CN trains
- 11/25, no westbound trains yet today past Mission or Chilliwack
- No westbound trains yet past Chilliwack on CN
- 5 westbound trains departing Kamloops on CP 11/24, none yet today, 11/25
- Westbound trains departing Kamloops on CN – 11/24 – 1 train, 11/25 1 train
- No eastbound trains past Mission or Chilliwack since 11/24 1554
- 2 Eastbound trains departing Kamloops on CP today, 2 on CN
Port of Vancouver Nov.25
Increased precipitation across southwestern B.C. is forecast for the remainder of this week and over the weekend. Intermittent closures may occur on restored rail and road infrastructure to ensure safe transit.
The Government of Canada and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority are undertaking a joint initiative to provide additional container storage capacity to ease supply chain constraints and bottlenecks in the Lower Mainland areas exacerbated by extreme weather disruptions. The project includes preparation of a 40-acre site within the Fraser Richmond Industrial Lands for the temporary handling and storage of empty containers. Work to prepare the site for storage services and contract an operator will occur over the coming weeks. The site is expected to be used until service levels return to pre-flood conditions.
Government of Canada news release: Supply Chain Container Storage Project
Rail operations: CP is implementing its operational plan to process the backlog of trains waiting to transit between Vancouver and Kamloops. Both CP and CN trains will operate on the restored line and transit in accordance with low-speed restrictions to enable monitoring of rail infrastructure. Intermittent closures to address repairs and ensure safe operations may occur. CN anticipates opening of their mainline within the next 24 hours. Both railways continue to monitor rainfall levels in the rail corridor and have plans in place for additional track patrols and monitoring.
Port of Vancouver rail production (November 25):
- Grain unloads: 200
- Container terminal rail production: 0 ft
- Container import on-dock footage: 337,702 ft
Truck operations: Truck operations at all four container terminals remain steady. Reconstruction and repairs continue on major roadways across the region. Intermittent closures and travel restrictions may occur as rain volumes increase over the coming days.
Port of Vancouver truck activity (November 25):
- Container truck reservations: 2,090
Marine operations: Anchorage demand continues to be high across all vessel types. Anchorages are assigned in a manner that ensures fluidity across all ship types and maintains essential services. Vessels in port can be viewed on the home page of the PortVan eHub app by selecting “Vessels in Port”.
Port of Vancouver anchorage occupation (November 25):
- Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (English Bay, inner habour, Indian Arm): 56%
- Southern Gulf Islands: 66%
Potential Trucking Strike – Serving Container Terminals
Unifor is reporting that approximately 200 truck drivers employed by Prudential Transportation and Aheer Transportation have voted to strike if the companies do not offer an a agreement patterned after those achieved with other companies.
This dispute was not included in the 2021 expiring labour agreements that FMA obtained from Labour Canada. More information can be found in the Unifor news release at the third red bar below.
BC Government Update on Roads Nov. 25
Highway 1 will reopen through the Fraser Valley between Chilliwack and Abbotsford at 2 p.m. (Pacific time), Thursday, Nov. 25, following cleanup, repairs and geotechnical assessments of the highway and its structures. Commercial vehicle weight limit over this route is 63,500 kilograms.