As we approach the final critical hours ahead of a major strike at US ports, news has broken that some of the workforce at the Port of Montreal are also set to strike.
A three-day strike at two of the port’s terminals – namely Viau and Maisonneuve Terminals – is due to come into effect from 7am today (September 30th), according to the Maritime Employers’ Association (MEA).
The two terminals account for just over 40% of Montreal’s volume and with both likely to halt operations during the planned strike period, the port will be operating at significantly reduced capacity.
With news of the planned walkout only breaking late last week, the timing of this action does appear to be strategically linked with the US port strike, which seems increasingly likely to going ahead on October 1st.
Montreal could have been one of the very few port options available for ocean freight carriers on the eastern side of the continent if the US strike was to proceed.
