Rail Congestion and Weather Causing High Dwell Times at Canadian Ports
Dwell times at major Canadian ports remain elevated due to ongoing rail congestion, severe weather conditions, and equipment shortages, according to a March report from DHL Global Forwarding on North American port conditions.
In Halifax, import rail dwell times are averaging 18 days, with some containers experiencing delays of up to 30 days due to high ground counts and labor shortages. PSA and CN are currently implementing measures to enhance rail productivity and mitigate these delays.
Saint John is also facing challenges, with import rail dwell times at 11.1 days, primarily caused by a shortage of available rail cars. The terminal is operating at a high utilization rate of 89%, which further complicates the situation.
In Montreal, although CPKC has lifted its export embargo, inconsistent rail car supply has pushed dwell times to 5.1 days. A full recovery in rail operations is expected within the next seven to ten days.
On the West Coast, Vancouver is grappling with significant rail issues, with container dwell times ranging between 20 and 30 days. Meanwhile, Prince Rupert is experiencing delays of up to five days due to minor rail disruptions.
DHL’s Ocean Freight Port Situation Update highlights the ongoing challenges in supply chain efficiency, as weather and infrastructure constraints continue to impact freight movement across North America.
