CUSTOMER ADVISORY

Dear Customer,

On October 1, 2025, the US Federal government began a shutdown as a result of congressional inaction on passing legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. 

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will continue to operate and facilitate the clearance of goods to maintain the flow of trade however, Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) may experience reduced staffing levels. 

It is expected that this will result in processing delays.

Potential Impacts by Agency

- CBP (Customs and Border Protection): As a law enforcement entity we anticipate that CBP will remain operational. Ports will stay open, and cargo clearance, security, and revenue collection will continue. However, administrative and support functions—such as refunds, ruling requests, audits, and document responses—may be delayed due to furloughs.

- CBP Deadlines: Enforcement of importer deadlines (e.g., Protests, Drawback Claims, CF 28/29 responses) will continue. Importers must adhere to these timelines, even if CBP is unable to meet its own.

- FDA (Food and Drug Administration): Critical functions such as entry reviews, exams, high-risk investigations, and recalls will continue. However, reduced staffing may lead to slower processing times.

- USDA (Department of Agriculture): Delays are expected due to limited staffing. Please note some agricultural functions are fee funded which may lesson impact in certain areas.  

- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): Processing delays are anticipated due to reduced operational capacity.

- Other PGAs: Impacts will vary by agency. Clients should expect delays and monitor communications closely.

We will be closely monitoring all cross-border traffic, however customers should be aware that delays resulting from the shutdown are beyond our control.

Any charges resulting from the same will be for the account of the cargo.

We recommend that shippers buffer transit time to manage delivery expectations.  Customers may wish to consider delaying shipment of any non-essential cargo.

We continue to monitor this very fluid situation and will provide further updates as they are made available.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

The Port of Montreal has issued the following update to the industry:

The Port of Montreal is actively monitoring all developments that may impact the continuity of operations.

Here is the latest information available:

Ongoing strike – Cast and Racine terminals.

The 31 administrative agents (CUPE 4317) of Montreal Gateway Terminals Inc. began an indefinite general strike this morning at 5:00. Terminal management has implemented mitigation measures. With the exception of some schedule adjustments, operations are continuing as normal.

This work stoppage does not affect the Port's other terminals.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as they are made available.

Please reach out to your Hensall Global representative should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

Please find below information just received in a notice from MSC:

Due to significantly reduced water levels in the St. Lawrence River, MSC (Canada) Inc will be implementing a Low Water Surcharge (LWS) on all exports loading out of Port of Montreal.

Details are as follows:

Effective Date:

• Canada to all trades (except USA and Puerto Rico): September 1st, 2025 (sailing date) Revised from the previous August 25th, 2025
• Canada to USA and Puerto Rico: September 8th, 2025 (sailing date)
• Quantum: 150 USD/20' (all equipment types), 300 USD/40' (all equipment types)
• Affected Trades: All Canadian Export Trades
• Affected Origins: All origins loading out of Montreal
• Commodity and Cargo type: All commodities and equipment types

Please reach out to your Hensall Global representative should you have any questions / concerns.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

Please find below information just received in a notice from MSC:

Due to significantly reduced water levels in the St. Lawrence River, MSC (Canada) Inc will be implementing a Low Water Surcharge (LWS) on all exports loading out of Port of Montreal.

Details are as follows:

Effective Date:

• Canada to all trades (except USA and Puerto Rico): August 25th, 2025 (sailing date)
• Canada to USA and Puerto Rico: September 8th, 2025 (sailing date)
• Quantum: 150 USD/20' (all equipment types), 300 USD/40' (all equipment types)
• Affected Trades: All Canadian Export Trades
• Affected Origins: All origins loading out of Montreal
• Commodity and Cargo type: All commodities and equipment types

Please reach out to your Hensall Global representative should you have any questions / concerns.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

Please note that congestion levels at many major European ports are worsening.

Average berth waiting times continue to climb at Bremerhaven, Hamburg, Antwerp, Rotterdam and Felixstowe.

The bottlenecks are being fueled by a combination of market disruptions and geopolitical tensions.

Low water levels on the Rhine River are also restricting barge traffic to and from inland terminals which is driving further backlog and congestion.

Compounding the problem is the instability created by the US tariff threats.

In response to the logistics disruption, carriers are now starting to announce congestion surcharges.

We continue to monitor as the situation is evolving and will provide further information and guidance on the potential for the application of costs as further communications are received.

Please reach out to your Hensall Global representative should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

This letter is to inform you that we have moved our office and have a new address. Please update your records to reflect the new address below.

Former address:

1 Davidson Drive, Hensall, Ontario, N0M 1X0

New Address:

210 Wellington Street West, Exeter, Ontario, N0M 1S2

Our email address, phone number and website will remain the same.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Hensall Global representative.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

CN has issued the following update to the industry:

Following six days of mediation and an arbitration process, Canada Industrial Relations Board appointed Arbitrator William Kaplan has issued a binding decision, setting the terms of a new collective agreement between CN and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC). The TCRC represents approximately 6,000 of our conductors, conductor trainees, yard coordinators and locomotive engineers across CN’s network in Canada. 

The three-year collective agreement is retroactive to January 1, 2024, and runs through December 31, 2026. The agreement includes a 3 percent wage increase for each of 2024, 2025 and 2026.

This resolution comes on the heels of seven months of continued labour stability in Canada, and we are committed to maintaining the level of service our customers rely on.

Please reach out to your Hensall Global representative should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

Please find update released to the industry by the Maritime Employers Association.

“Since November 25th, the MEA and the Longshoremen’s Union have been engaged in a 90-day mediation process, which was supposed to end on February 14th. At the mediator’s suggestion, both parties agreed to extend the process until March 14th. Since then, the parties and the mediator have continued discussions in an effort to find common ground, with the goal of reaching a negotiated collective agreement. The special mediator informed us today that he no longer saw any potential agreement between the two parties and has ended the mediation process.

The end of mediation triggers the process of arbitration, to which both parties must submit.”

We continue to monitor and will provide further update as new information is made available.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

Please find below information received in a notice from ZIM:

The decision has been taken to update our freight rates from Canada ports to all the Mediterranean & Black Sea ports for all types of cargo (dry, refrigerated, and special equipment).

Therefore, with reference to your rate agreement with ZIM, please be advised as for the increases below:

• For all cargo Types - $300 per TEU
• Effective as of March 28th, 2025, until further notice.
• 1st vessel of call in CA M/V Spyros A 63 / East

Please reach out to your Hensall Global representative should you have any questions / concerns.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

Please find below information received in a notice from MSC:

MSC (Canada) Inc. will be implementing a General Rate Increase (GRI) on export cargo sailing from Canada to Black Sea, Greece and Turkey, East Med Trades effective from April 1st, 2025.

Specific details as follows:

• Effective Date: April 1st, 2025 (PCD Date)
• Quantum: 100 USD/TEU
• Affected POLs: Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax & Saint John
• Affected Trades: BLACK SEA, GREECE AND TURKEY, EAST MED 
• Affected Destination: Russia, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Georgia, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt
• Commodity and Cargo Type: Applicable on ALL CONTAINER TYPES (Including Reefer and Agri)

Please reach out to your Hensall Global representative should you have any questions / concerns.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS