**UPDATE – Canadian strike ended after 4 days and the Indian strike was called off after the parties reached agreement.
Two major logistics strikes, both scheduled to start in the next week, could be about to bring disruption to ocean freight services in and out of Canada and India.
Canada.
We are on the eve of a national rail strike in Canada, which is due to start 22nd August unless a last minute agreement is found. The Canada National railway and the TCRC and CPKC unions have been involved in a prolonged dispute over scheduling, safety and pay. A recent ruling effectively confirmed the strike as legal under Canadian law, and insisted on a 13-day cooling-off period which expires today.
Should the strike go ahead, then we can expect major disruption on ocean freight services in and out of the country, and potentially into northern US states too. Rail transportation is essential for moving freight within Canada, which is the world’s second largest country by area, and it is also a big part of moving freight cross-border.
India.
Port workers are in India are also on the verge of a national strike. The National Coordination Committee of Port Workers have announced indefinite strike action from August 28th, as they continue to dispute wages, allowances and pensions with the Ministry Of Shipping.
The strike will affect all of the state run ports in India, including the country’s twelve largest ports. If a resolution is not found quickly, and the strike proceeds, then we can expect major disruption for ocean freight movements in and out of the country.
