CUSTOMER ADVISORY

Dear Customer,

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

The following is the latest development on the renewal of the collective agreement between the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) and the Port of Montreal Longshoremen's Union CUPE - Local 375.

• The MEA submitted its proposal, which was then voted on by the members of the Longshoremen's Union of the Port of Montreal CUPE - Local 375, which was rejected on April 22.

• The MEA and the Longshoremen's Union held mediation sessions on Monday April 22 and Tuesday April 23.

• A strike mandate has not been voted by the Longshoremen's Union, and such a vote is required prior to issuing a 72-hour strike notice. Consequently, no pressure tactics can affect Port of Montreal operations.

All our Port facilities are accessible, and operations are continuing without any interruptions.

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

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

Please find update to previously communicated labour concerns within the industry.

As advised, negotiations between the TCRC and CP and CN Rail have been overseen by federal mediators since the beginning of March.

The union representing approximately 9200 conductors, engineers and yard workers have been without a contract since the expiry of their collective agreements December 31st, 2023.

In their last press address, CP has reiterated that the parties remain far apart with bargaining to continue the week of April 22nd.

CN and the TCRC met April 10th – 12th where CN proposed an improved offer to the union. 

Union members are currently voting on a proposal to authorize a strike.  Earliest a walkout or lockout could occur is May 21st.

In Montreal, mediation meetings took place April 16th and 17th between the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 375). The MEA has advised that there has been no strike vote, and the union has not planned a meeting to set that in motion. For any pressure tactics to be applied, a vote and 72 hours’ notice is necessary.

We also thought it valuable to include to this advisory comment on the continued negotiations on the west coast between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA). The two sides have been engaged in negotiations, assisted by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) since the middle of January. Those parties have entered a 21-day cooling off period with mediated talks to continue. During this period, the parties may acquire the legal right to strike or lockout but may not exercise their rights to strike or lockout until; 21 days have passed since the end of the conciliation process, a strike or lockout vote has been taken and a 72-hour strike notice has been given. As of current, the earliest either party could exercise their legal right to strike or lockout is May 10th, 2024. Talks are expected to continue May 8th – 10th. The collective agreement expired March 31st, 2023.

Lastly, please kindly note that over 9000 workers at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are also actively voting on a strike mandate. The voting period is set to last until May 15th. In the interim, while the strike vote is underway, Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and CBSA are proceeding to Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearings with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board.

Following the PIC hearings, the commission will release its non-binding recommendations to reach an agreement. If members vote in favour of a strike mandate, PSAC will be in a legal strike position seven days after the board releases its report.

We continue to monitor the potential for labour action and will endeavor to provide further updates as new information is received.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

The European Union are making changes to their advance manifesting process “Import Control System” with their latest release of ICS2 aimed at the maritime industry. These changes will be relevant to all parties including shippers, freight forwarders, NVOCC’s and consignees and will require action from any party providing shipping instructions to the carrier.

Here is some brief information for your guidance and awareness:

The process of advance manifesting allows for pre-arrival safety and security checks that support effective risk-based customs controls whilst enabling the free flow of permitted trade. The third release of the ICS2 program focuses on cargoes arriving in the EU via the maritime industry and goes live on the 3rd of June 2024 (some carriers have obtained extensions to the deployment window so published commence dates may vary depending on source).

The new regulations will involve changes to the existing Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) that are submitted for all deep sea and short sea cargo that either discharges or tranships at EU member states as well as all cargo that remains on board, otherwise referred to as FROB (freight remaining on-board). Due to potential variances in vessel scheduling and the requirement for ICS2 clearance at most discharge ports, most carriers will apply these regulations to all Europe bound shipments regardless of destination including the United Kingdom.

Going forward, ICS2 will allow the ENS transmission from either the carrier, freight forwarder or consignee and shortly after its initial release, allow the filing of house bill of ladings (HBL). 

One of the most relevant changes is the implementation of house-level data filing and the EU Customs request on information about the Buyer and Seller of the cargo.

Customers will need to provide more detailed information for inclusion in the new ENS, some of the changes will involve the provision of:

• 6-digit HS Code for each commodity

• Complete and accurate cargo descriptions

• Detailed and concise Document Party addresses (*see note)

• EORI number for Consignee established in the EU (or EORI of the supplementary declarant)

• Buyer and Seller data for all cargo destined to the EU (not required for FROB cargo discharging outside of the EU)

*Note: ICS2 requires the following data elements for all shipment parties: (Shipper, Consignee, Notifies).

• Business Name

• Street Name Line 1 (mandatory unless PO Box is provided)

• Street Name Line 2 (optional)

• House Number (mandatory unless PO Box is provided)

• PO Box (mandatory unless House Number is provided)

• City (mandatory)

• Postal Code/ZIP (mandatory)

• Country (mandatory)

Carriers are currently in the process of adapting their systems to record the provided additional data elements for inclusion in their transmissions. ICS2 also introduces a new step in the approval process, upon successful transmission and approval of the ENS the declarant will receive a new status “Assessment Complete” (AS). Note that only cargo that has received this status can be loaded on board the carrying vessel.

Any cargo not loaded due to missing “Assessment Complete” status prior to commencement of vessel operations will be subject to possible demurrage costs.

Please ensure this information is included within your commercial documentation as we will be required to declare the same in our shipping instructions to the carrier.

We continue to monitor for additional information regarding the new requirements and timelines for implementation.

We strongly recommend that you prepare for the new regulations and ensure that you have all the necessary information required for the introduction of ICS2 as soon as possible.

You can find out more on the EU website via the link below:

Import Control System 2 - Release 3 - European Commission (europa.eu)

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

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

CP has issued following update to the industry:

Attention: Intermodal customers shipping to or from Quebec (excludes International marine traffic).

The Quebec Ministry of Transportation has advised that the spring thaw for Zone 1 will come to end on Friday April 12, 2024 at 23:59 EST.

CPKC will begin allowing post spring thaw weights to in-gate based on the following table.

Table - First shipping date for shipments to or from Quebec’s Zone 1 relative to the end of spring thaw weight restrictions:
 

Zones 2 will come to end on Friday May 10, 2024 at 23:59 EST. Zone 3 will come to end on Friday May 10, 2024 at 23:59 EST. If shipping to either of those zones please add 3 weeks to the timelines above.

We encourage you to visit the Government of Quebec website here for a complete guide on spring thaw zones, dates, regulations, and restrictions.

Please be guided accordingly.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

CN has issued following update to the industry:

This communication is for customers shipping to/from Quebec.

Transports Quebec has provided the dates for the lifting of the Spring Thaw
restrictions. 

Please note that payload weights in equipment to be delivered by CNTL can now be loaded per the normal requirements for shipments planned to arrive after the start-date noted below.

Official Dates* for the lifting of the weight restrictions at this time are:

• Zone 1 – Friday, April 12, 2024

• Zone 2 – Friday, May 10, 2024

• Zone 3 – Monday, May 20, 2024

* Transports Quebec may change these dates depending on changes in
weather conditions. CN will not be responsible for any additional charges subject to this date change.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Account Manager.

Please be guided accordingly.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

There is growing concern of potential labour disruption at the Port of Montreal.

The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 375), which covers approximately 1200 longshore workers have been without a labour deal since their agreement expired on December 31.

Earlier this month, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) dismissed a request from the MEA to require employees to work during a strike.  The rejection by the CIRB has now introduced the opportunity for job action or lockout after a six-month freeze while the ask was under consideration. That freeze ended with the board’s decision on March 14.

It would appear that the parties remain at an impasse with further negotiations stalled.  It is reported that the last meeting between the two sides took place back on January 16. 

Many in the industry are growing concerned that the union could issue a 72-hour strike notice at any point. 

It is also worth noting that labour tensions are also simmering in other areas of the transportation sector with both CN and CP in talks with the unions representing approximately 9200 conductors, engineers, and yard workers.  These discussions have been overseen by federal mediators since the beginning of March.

A mandated 60-day period of mediated negotiations followed by a 21-day cooling-off period means a work stoppage by either carrier could begin as soon as May 21.

We are continuing to monitor the potential for labour action in all cases above and will endeavor to provide further updates as new information is received.

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

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

CN has issued following update to the industry:

To keep you informed, below are details about the collective bargaining between the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) union and CN. Previous information can be found here: www.cn.ca/TCRCinfo.

As of March 18, 2024, CN and the TCRC have resumed negotiations with the support of federal conciliators appointed on March 1. During the conciliation period, the parties will continue bargaining to reach a negotiated agreement.

To address questions about CN’s offer to the TCRC, we have shared further details on www.cn.ca/TCRCinfo as we continue to negotiate in good faith with the union leaders. This offer provides TCRC-represented employees with better work conditions, work-life balance, prioritizes safety and maintains a strong supply chain.

We value our relationship with unions representing CN employees, and it is our goal to work towards a negotiated agreement that is good for our employees, our customers, and the economy.

As previously mentioned, the bargaining process does not allow for work stoppage for close to three months after the appointment of federal conciliators. If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to speak to your account manager.

Please be guided accordingly.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

CN has issued following update to the industry:

This communication is for customers shipping to/from Quebec.

As of this morning, February 29, 2024, the Quebec Government has brought forward Road Thaw restrictions to begin effective Monday, March 4, 2024. With this two week bring forward, we have no choice but to restrict traffic destined for the province of Quebec that are heavy, and require special handling by CNTL to be payload reduced effective immediately (see Table 1 below).

Please note that payload weights in equipment to be delivered by CNTL must be reduced per the requirements below for shipments planned to arrive after the start-date noted above.

To assist our customers during this period of reduced payload, CN will establish a "Latest Shipping Date" where customers may ship at regular payload weights from each terminal (based on the consignee receiving the traffic immediately upon arrival at the destination terminal).

Note, the shipping date will be referred to as the Reservation Date. CN’s online tools can assist in determining the Reservation Date and Trip Plan.

In the event of an overweight load, CN may arrange transloading, or use specialty equipment to deliver the load. Any transloading requirements will be done at the prevailing market rate to be confirmed. To ensure the specialty equipment is not detained, all deliveries must be live-unloads. The overweight arrangements will be made after receiving written confirmation that the payer understands the charges.

Overweight traffic delayed online, but shipped prior to the "Latest Shipping Date", will be delivered by CN without the application of overweight charges.

The following table shows the "Latest Shipping Date" relative to the start of CN’s Spring Weight Restrictions:

Table 1 – Latest shipping date for deliveries in Quebec’s Zone 1

The maximum payload handled using CNR equipment during the Spring Weight Restriction period is:

Table 2 – Maximum Payloads and Axle Weights

Table 3 - Maximum Gross weight

Please be guided accordingly.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

CP has issued following update to the industry:

Quebec Ministry of Transport annual spring thaw weight restrictions.

The Ministry has updated the official dates for the 2024 load restriction period in the province of Quebec. For our customers shipping to and from the province of Quebec and in preparation for the spring weight restrictions, CPKC will be implementing our reduced weight requirements as outlined below in Tables 1 & 2.

Overweight loads will be returned to the Shipper at the payer of freight’s expense. Domestic shipments where CPKC performs the drayage, weights must be reduced and evenly distributed in the unit in order to avoid possible charges and fines associated with the Quebec and New Brunswick spring thaw restrictions. The payer of freight retains responsibility for any such charges.

CPKC will advise via Customer Bulletin when the reduced weight restrictions will be lifted, this will be based on Quebec spring thaw restrictions end dates published by the Ministry of Transport.

Final dates to ship without restrictions

The final shipping dates without restrictions are listed below in Table 1. Maximum payload is noted in Table 2. We encourage you to visit the Government of Quebec website here for a complete guide on spring thaw zones, dates, regulations, and restrictions.

Overweight traffic delayed online, but shipped on or before the Last Shipping Date will be delivered by CPKC without the application of overweight charges.
 

Table 1:

Last shipping date with regular payload weight:

Table 2:

Maximum Payloads - allowable content weight:

Spring Thaw Allowable Axle Weights:

CPKC Dray Restrictions

CPKC will not move any containers with a payload in excess of the Government of Quebec spring thaw weight restrictions on CPKC chassis (Triaxles and Tandems). On all overweight shipments, the payer of freight is responsible for securing their own dray vendor and chassis equipment to move overweight containers to and from CPKC’s Lachine ramp.

Should the payer of freight request CPKC assistance to support movement of overweight load from Lachine terminal, CPKC may arrange for use of a quad axle chassis. Please refer to CPKC’s Tariff 3 for all ancillary charges or click here. The overweight arrangements will be done after receiving written confirmation that the payer understands and accepts the charges. Only live offload deliveries will be permitted.

Shipments moving to/from Lachine IMS, destined for Eastern Ontario

Please click here to refer to CPKC’s Domestic Dray tariff 7551 for a complete list of Ontario cities serviced by Lachine IMS which are subject to spring thaw weight restrictions.

This broadcast is intended for Intermodal customers shipping to Quebec, (excludes International marine traffic). If you have difficulty reading this email, click here to log into Customer Station and view it there.

Service Plan (22, 25, 62, & 65)

CPKC will not load any overweight containers on CPKC chassis (Triaxles and Tandems) as per the Government of Quebec spring thaw weight restrictions after CPKC’s spring thaw start date of March 18th, 2024. When booking a load as Door-to-Ramp or Ramp-to-Ramp, the payer of freight is responsible for securing their own dray vendor and chassis equipment at destination Lachine IMS ramp.

Please be guided accordingly.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Dear Customer,

CN has issued following update to the industry:

I am writing to inform you of the ongoing collective bargaining with Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), which represents approximately 6,000 conductors, conductor trainees, yard coordinators and locomotive engineers across CN’s network in Canada.

Negotiations started in November 2023. On February 16, 2024, CN filed a Notice of Dispute to support the parties in achieving a negotiated settlement. We will continue negotiating with TCRC to reach a deal that would modernize our railway in a manner that will deliver the best possible service to our customers, while providing our employees with better work conditions and better work/life balance.

Recent regulatory changes have challenged crew availability and CN is proposing to address that issue through a modernization of the compensation model.

Considering the applicable legal framework, we do not expect any work stoppage for at least three months from the date of the notice of dispute.

The Minister of Labour is expected to appoint a conciliator in the next 15 days. We are fully committed to a negotiated outcome and welcome the assistance of the conciliators to reach an agreement that allows us to continue to deliver quality service to our customers, maintain a strong supply chain and keep the economy moving.

As negotiations continue, we will provide timely, transparent updates. If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to speak to your account manager.

Useful information about the bargaining process and frequent updates are available at www.cn.ca/TCRCinfo.
 

Please be guided accordingly.

Sincerely,

HENSALL GLOBAL LOGISTICS