In messaging CIFFA obtained from CP on the evening of June 16, the railway provided an update on its terminal fluidity at Montreal and Toronto terminals, where CP was “metering empties through Montreal and Toronto gates in order to alleviate congestion and ensure fluidity through terminals.”
CP indicated that as of the morning of June 16 gates in Toronto were back to normal operations, and the same will be in effect in Montreal as of Friday morning, June 17.
CP said it will continue to monitor terminal congestion, to ensure fluidity is maintained, and that drivers can be serviced in a timely manner.
CIFFA has received multiple communications over the last two days that a number of drayage providers in the Montreal and Toronto areas have advised that they will no longer handle any import containers under certain bookings because the ocean carriers are refusing to provide an empty return location.
Many members are being charged detention/demurrage charges by the ocean carriers, even though they cannot return containers to the rail or an off-site depot.
We are in communication with the rail and awaiting an operational update and contingency plan.