Dear Valued Customer,
A ruling by Canada’s Industrial Relations Board has cleared the way for a potential rail strike this month at both of Canada’s railroads, which play a critical role in moving Canadian and U.S. goods to and from the ports as well as moving cross-border freight.
C.H. Robinson is actively assisting customers with freight that could be impacted by a strike with alternate modal options and diverting to alternate North American ports. Both Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have announced operational adjustments leading into a potential strike, which could begin as early as Thursday, August 22.
CPKC
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There are multiple cutoff dates, through Saturday, August 17 depending on origin terminal for reefer units. Any unit arriving after the cutoff date will not be allowed entry. All units in-gated before the cutoff date will continue under normal operation.
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All CPKC reefers not loaded and in gated prior to the cutoff must be released and returned empty.
CN
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CN began a progressive shutdown on all reefer and/or hazardous loads on Wednesday, August 14. That progressive shutdown continues through Tuesday, August 20 for corridors with shorter transit times.
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Non-hazardous dry loads will continue to move and be accepted up to a potential work stoppage.
C.H. Robinson remains in contact with both rail providers and is actively securing alternate truckload capacity for shippers with impacted freight.
Please stay in close contact with your C.H. Robinson team for continued updates in this evolving situation and for help navigating any impacts to your supply chain. We are available and committed to delivering competitive conversion options to over-the-road truck and other alternate modes across all impacted geographies.
Other North American rail providers have also issued communications regarding potential impact to their operations in this evolving situation. Below are links to their latest updates:
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BNSF
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CSX
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Norfolk Southern
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Union Pacific
Thank you for being a valued customer.
Sincerely,
C.H. Robinson