Sulfur exports could be halted early next week following the announcement of a strike notice by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514.
The union issued a notice for a strike to begin on 11am ET on 4 November after rejecting a final offer from the British Columbian Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) for a new labor contract. The two parties have been in talks for a new contract since the previous labor agreement expired in March 2023.
The BCMEA responded early this morning with a lockout notice, set at the same time as the ILWU Local 514's strike on 4 November.
The work stoppage at the port will impact all commodities aside from grains, according to sources. No sulfur handling operations —rail unloading and vessel loading— will take place for the duration of the strike.
Logistics providers and shippers will have three days to load vessels, and will likely expedite railcar unloadings before railroad operators make sure cargoes are stored safely.
Shippers at the port of Vancouver have exported around 2.47mn t of sulfur from January-September this year, up by 5pc on the year with increased deliveries to China, Indonesia and the US.
The Canadian government has the power to intervene and force the parties back to the negotiating table, albeit with a federally appointed mediator. This would also require employees to return to work and for operations at the terminals to resume.
