Longshore strike stops cargo at British Columbia ports

Started 2023-07-01 (1 July 2023), ended 2023-07-19 (19 July 2023). Scroll to follow the record one dated step at a time. Read the full event record.

Port calls, Vancouver (CA), 2023-05-02 (2 May 2023) to 2023-07-31 (31 July 2023): values ranged from 1 calls per day on 2023-05-15 to 11 calls per day on 2023-07-14. The shaded band marks the event window, 2023-07-01 to 2023-07-19. Small marks on the line show the dates of the timeline steps.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-10-21 (21 October 2026).

Port calls, Vancouver (CA) (calls per day), daily values shown in the story chart.
Date	calls per day
2023-05-02	6
2023-05-03	8
2023-05-04	3
2023-05-05	4
2023-05-06	2
2023-05-07	9
2023-05-08	8
2023-05-09	6
2023-05-10	4
2023-05-11	8
2023-05-12	7
2023-05-13	2
2023-05-14	6
2023-05-15	1
2023-05-16	3
2023-05-17	8
2023-05-18	9
2023-05-19	7
2023-05-20	4
2023-05-21	5
2023-05-22	4
2023-05-23	2
2023-05-24	6
2023-05-25	5
2023-05-26	5
2023-05-27	4
2023-05-28	3
2023-05-29	6
2023-05-30	6
2023-05-31	6
2023-06-01	4
2023-06-02	6
2023-06-03	5
2023-06-04	3
2023-06-05	5
2023-06-06	4
2023-06-07	4
2023-06-08	5
2023-06-09	6
2023-06-10	5
2023-06-11	5
2023-06-12	6
2023-06-13	3
2023-06-14	4
2023-06-15	2
2023-06-16	6
2023-06-17	3
2023-06-18	5
2023-06-19	4
2023-06-20	5
2023-06-21	9
2023-06-22	5
2023-06-23	6
2023-06-24	5
2023-06-25	8
2023-06-26	4
2023-06-27	6
2023-06-28	5
2023-06-29	5
2023-06-30	1
2023-07-01	4
2023-07-02	1
2023-07-03	3
2023-07-04	4
2023-07-05	3
2023-07-06	2
2023-07-07	2
2023-07-08	2
2023-07-09	3
2023-07-10	2
2023-07-11	1
2023-07-12	1
2023-07-13	4
2023-07-14	11
2023-07-15	8
2023-07-16	6
2023-07-17	2
2023-07-18	8
2023-07-19	1
2023-07-20	8
2023-07-21	6
2023-07-22	5
2023-07-23	4
2023-07-24	5
2023-07-25	3
2023-07-26	6
2023-07-27	3
2023-07-28	5
2023-07-29	1
2023-07-30	7
2023-07-31	5

What happened
From 2023-07-01 (1 July 2023) longshore workers represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada struck terminals across British Columbia, including Vancouver and Prince Rupert, in a dispute with the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association over wages, contracting out and automation. More than 7,400 workers were reported to have left the job. The first stoppage ran to 2023-07-13, when both sides accepted settlement terms drawn up by a federal mediator. The union caucus then rejected the terms and members returned to picket lines at 16:30 on 2023-07-18. The Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled that action unlawful for want of 72 hours notice, and the union withdrew a fresh strike notice on 2023-07-19 (19 July 2023). A negotiated agreement followed on 2023-07-30 and was ratified in early August.
2023-07-01 (1 July 2023)
Longshore workers walk out at British Columbia terminals after the collective agreement with the employers' association expires and bargaining fails. [s5] [s7]
2023-07-11 (11 July 2023)
The federal labour minister gives a senior mediator one day to recommend terms of settlement, saying the gap between the parties no longer justifies a continued work stoppage. [s7]
2023-07-13 (13 July 2023)
Both sides accept the mediator's terms and the stoppage ends after 13 days. The employers' association ratifies the four year agreement the same day. [s1] [s5]
2023-07-18 (18 July 2023)
The union's caucus rejects the mediated agreement without a membership vote and workers return to the picket lines at 16:30, stopping cargo work again. [s1] [s5]
2023-07-19 (19 July 2023)
The Canada Industrial Relations Board orders the union to cease strike action because 72 hours notice was not given. The union serves a new notice, then withdraws it that afternoon. [s4] [s6]
2023-07-30 (30 July 2023)
The union and the employers' association announce a negotiated collective agreement reached with the assistance of the labour board, and recommend ratification. [s2]
2023-08-04 (4 August 2023)
The employers' association confirms that union members have ratified the four year agreement, which it ratified on 2023-07-31. [s3]

Measured effect

Port calls, Vancouver (CA)

Baseline (expected): 5.1 calls per day
Observed: 3.6 calls per day
Change: -1.5 (-29.9%)
Standardised score: -0.7
Event window: 2023-07-01 to 2023-07-19 (19 days)
Baseline window: 2023-04-29 to 2023-06-23 (56 valid days)
Method: wfm-effect-1.0
Computed: 2026-09-16 (16 September 2026), data revision 1:b39af92be95c

Port calls, Vancouver (CA), 2023-04-22 (22 April 2023) to 2023-08-30 (30 August 2023): values ranged from 1 calls per day on 2023-05-15 to 11 calls per day on 2023-07-14, with a mean of 4.8 calls per day. The latest value, for 2023-08-30, was 6 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2023-07-01 to 2023-07-19.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-10-21 (21 October 2026).

Port calls, Vancouver (CA) (calls per day).
Date	calls per day
2023-04-22	9
2023-04-23	3
2023-04-24	5
2023-04-25	6
2023-04-26	8
2023-04-27	7
2023-04-28	7
2023-04-29	5
2023-04-30	4
2023-05-01	9
2023-05-02	6
2023-05-03	8
2023-05-04	3
2023-05-05	4
2023-05-06	2
2023-05-07	9
2023-05-08	8
2023-05-09	6
2023-05-10	4
2023-05-11	8
2023-05-12	7
2023-05-13	2
2023-05-14	6
2023-05-15	1
2023-05-16	3
2023-05-17	8
2023-05-18	9
2023-05-19	7
2023-05-20	4
2023-05-21	5
2023-05-22	4
2023-05-23	2
2023-05-24	6
2023-05-25	5
2023-05-26	5
2023-05-27	4
2023-05-28	3
2023-05-29	6
2023-05-30	6
2023-05-31	6
2023-06-01	4
2023-06-02	6
2023-06-03	5
2023-06-04	3
2023-06-05	5
2023-06-06	4
2023-06-07	4
2023-06-08	5
2023-06-09	6
2023-06-10	5
2023-06-11	5
2023-06-12	6
2023-06-13	3
2023-06-14	4
2023-06-15	2
2023-06-16	6
2023-06-17	3
2023-06-18	5
2023-06-19	4
2023-06-20	5
2023-06-21	9
2023-06-22	5
2023-06-23	6
2023-06-24	5
2023-06-25	8
2023-06-26	4
2023-06-27	6
2023-06-28	5
2023-06-29	5
2023-06-30	1
2023-07-01	4
2023-07-02	1
2023-07-03	3
2023-07-04	4
2023-07-05	3
2023-07-06	2
2023-07-07	2
2023-07-08	2
2023-07-09	3
2023-07-10	2
2023-07-11	1
2023-07-12	1
2023-07-13	4
2023-07-14	11
2023-07-15	8
2023-07-16	6
2023-07-17	2
2023-07-18	8
2023-07-19	1
2023-07-20	8
2023-07-21	6
2023-07-22	5
2023-07-23	4
2023-07-24	5
2023-07-25	3
2023-07-26	6
2023-07-27	3
2023-07-28	5
2023-07-29	1
2023-07-30	7
2023-07-31	5
2023-08-01	7
2023-08-02	8
2023-08-03	3
2023-08-04	4
2023-08-05	4
2023-08-06	3
2023-08-07	3
2023-08-08	4
2023-08-09	5
2023-08-10	5
2023-08-11	4
2023-08-12	5
2023-08-13	4
2023-08-14	4
2023-08-15	4
2023-08-16	5
2023-08-17	4
2023-08-18	6
2023-08-19	4
2023-08-20	10
2023-08-21	4
2023-08-22	3
2023-08-23	2
2023-08-24	6
2023-08-25	5
2023-08-26	5
2023-08-27	4
2023-08-28	6
2023-08-29	6
2023-08-30	6

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Container ship port calls, Vancouver (CA)

Baseline (expected): 0.8 calls per day
Observed: 0.4 calls per day
Change: -0.4 (percent omitted, baseline too small)
Standardised score: -0.4
Event window: 2023-07-01 to 2023-07-19 (19 days)
Baseline window: 2023-04-29 to 2023-06-23 (56 valid days)
Method: wfm-effect-1.0
Computed: 2026-09-16 (16 September 2026), data revision 1:da17d0ad94c3

Container ship port calls, Vancouver (CA), 2023-04-22 (22 April 2023) to 2023-08-30 (30 August 2023): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2023-04-29 to 3 calls per day on 2023-05-17, with a mean of 0.8 calls per day. The latest value, for 2023-08-30, was 0 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2023-07-01 to 2023-07-19.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-10-21 (21 October 2026).

Container ship port calls, Vancouver (CA) (calls per day).
Date	calls per day
2023-04-22	1
2023-04-23	1
2023-04-24	1
2023-04-25	1
2023-04-26	1
2023-04-27	1
2023-04-28	2
2023-04-29	0
2023-04-30	0
2023-05-01	2
2023-05-02	1
2023-05-03	2
2023-05-04	0
2023-05-05	1
2023-05-06	1
2023-05-07	1
2023-05-08	2
2023-05-09	1
2023-05-10	0
2023-05-11	1
2023-05-12	1
2023-05-13	0
2023-05-14	1
2023-05-15	0
2023-05-16	0
2023-05-17	3
2023-05-18	1
2023-05-19	0
2023-05-20	0
2023-05-21	3
2023-05-22	1
2023-05-23	0
2023-05-24	3
2023-05-25	0
2023-05-26	2
2023-05-27	1
2023-05-28	1
2023-05-29	0
2023-05-30	1
2023-05-31	1
2023-06-01	0
2023-06-02	2
2023-06-03	2
2023-06-04	0
2023-06-05	1
2023-06-06	0
2023-06-07	1
2023-06-08	2
2023-06-09	2
2023-06-10	1
2023-06-11	1
2023-06-12	0
2023-06-13	0
2023-06-14	1
2023-06-15	0
2023-06-16	2
2023-06-17	1
2023-06-18	1
2023-06-19	1
2023-06-20	0
2023-06-21	1
2023-06-22	1
2023-06-23	0
2023-06-24	1
2023-06-25	1
2023-06-26	0
2023-06-27	1
2023-06-28	1
2023-06-29	0
2023-06-30	0
2023-07-01	1
2023-07-02	0
2023-07-03	0
2023-07-04	0
2023-07-05	0
2023-07-06	0
2023-07-07	0
2023-07-08	0
2023-07-09	1
2023-07-10	0
2023-07-11	0
2023-07-12	0
2023-07-13	0
2023-07-14	2
2023-07-15	1
2023-07-16	2
2023-07-17	0
2023-07-18	1
2023-07-19	0
2023-07-20	3
2023-07-21	1
2023-07-22	2
2023-07-23	1
2023-07-24	0
2023-07-25	1
2023-07-26	1
2023-07-27	1
2023-07-28	1
2023-07-29	0
2023-07-30	1
2023-07-31	1
2023-08-01	1
2023-08-02	3
2023-08-03	0
2023-08-04	1
2023-08-05	0
2023-08-06	1
2023-08-07	0
2023-08-08	1
2023-08-09	1
2023-08-10	0
2023-08-11	0
2023-08-12	2
2023-08-13	1
2023-08-14	1
2023-08-15	1
2023-08-16	1
2023-08-17	1
2023-08-18	0
2023-08-19	1
2023-08-20	1
2023-08-21	1
2023-08-22	1
2023-08-23	0
2023-08-24	0
2023-08-25	2
2023-08-26	0
2023-08-27	1
2023-08-28	1
2023-08-29	1
2023-08-30	0

Port calls, Prince Rupert

Baseline (expected): 1.1 calls per day
Observed: 0.8 calls per day
Change: -0.3 (percent omitted, baseline too small)
Standardised score: -0.3
Event window: 2023-07-01 to 2023-07-19 (19 days)
Baseline window: 2023-04-29 to 2023-06-23 (56 valid days)
Method: wfm-effect-1.0
Computed: 2026-09-16 (16 September 2026), data revision 1:4dc738bcfd97

Port calls, Prince Rupert, 2023-04-22 (22 April 2023) to 2023-08-30 (30 August 2023): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2023-04-22 to 6 calls per day on 2023-07-14, with a mean of 1.2 calls per day. The latest value, for 2023-08-30, was 3 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2023-07-01 to 2023-07-19.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-10-21 (21 October 2026).

Port calls, Prince Rupert (calls per day).
Date	calls per day
2023-04-22	0
2023-04-23	1
2023-04-24	1
2023-04-25	0
2023-04-26	1
2023-04-27	4
2023-04-28	2
2023-04-29	1
2023-04-30	1
2023-05-01	1
2023-05-02	2
2023-05-03	1
2023-05-04	1
2023-05-05	2
2023-05-06	2
2023-05-07	1
2023-05-08	0
2023-05-09	0
2023-05-10	1
2023-05-11	1
2023-05-12	2
2023-05-13	0
2023-05-14	1
2023-05-15	1
2023-05-16	2
2023-05-17	0
2023-05-18	1
2023-05-19	2
2023-05-20	1
2023-05-21	2
2023-05-22	0
2023-05-23	1
2023-05-24	1
2023-05-25	2
2023-05-26	1
2023-05-27	3
2023-05-28	3
2023-05-29	1
2023-05-30	1
2023-05-31	1
2023-06-01	1
2023-06-02	0
2023-06-03	1
2023-06-04	2
2023-06-05	2
2023-06-06	1
2023-06-07	1
2023-06-08	2
2023-06-09	1
2023-06-10	1
2023-06-11	0
2023-06-12	4
2023-06-13	3
2023-06-14	2
2023-06-15	0
2023-06-16	0
2023-06-17	3
2023-06-18	3
2023-06-19	0
2023-06-20	1
2023-06-21	1
2023-06-22	0
2023-06-23	2
2023-06-24	1
2023-06-25	2
2023-06-26	1
2023-06-27	1
2023-06-28	1
2023-06-29	1
2023-06-30	2
2023-07-01	1
2023-07-02	1
2023-07-03	0
2023-07-04	0
2023-07-05	0
2023-07-06	1
2023-07-07	1
2023-07-08	1
2023-07-09	0
2023-07-10	2
2023-07-11	0
2023-07-12	0
2023-07-13	0
2023-07-14	6
2023-07-15	0
2023-07-16	0
2023-07-17	1
2023-07-18	1
2023-07-19	0
2023-07-20	4
2023-07-21	3
2023-07-22	2
2023-07-23	1
2023-07-24	0
2023-07-25	3
2023-07-26	0
2023-07-27	1
2023-07-28	0
2023-07-29	1
2023-07-30	2
2023-07-31	1
2023-08-01	2
2023-08-02	1
2023-08-03	1
2023-08-04	1
2023-08-05	3
2023-08-06	0
2023-08-07	3
2023-08-08	2
2023-08-09	1
2023-08-10	0
2023-08-11	1
2023-08-12	1
2023-08-13	0
2023-08-14	3
2023-08-15	1
2023-08-16	0
2023-08-17	1
2023-08-18	1
2023-08-19	1
2023-08-20	1
2023-08-21	2
2023-08-22	0
2023-08-23	1
2023-08-24	1
2023-08-25	1
2023-08-26	0
2023-08-27	0
2023-08-28	1
2023-08-29	2
2023-08-30	3

Sources

[s1] British Columbia Maritime Employers Association, ILWU leadership rejects mediator's fair and balanced tentative deal without a member vote, once again putting livelihoods and the Canadian economy at risk, published 2023-07-18 (18 July 2023), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy.
[s2] British Columbia Maritime Employers Association, Joint ILWU Canada and BCMEA News Release, published 2023-07-30 (30 July 2023), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy.
[s3] British Columbia Maritime Employers Association, ILWU Canada members ratify negotiated tentative agreement; the BCMEA is ready to work to restore stability to Canada's supply chain, published 2023-08-04 (4 August 2023), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy.
[s4] International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, Strike Notice Removed - July 19, 2023, published 2023-07-19 (19 July 2023), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy.
[s5] CBC News, B.C. port workers resume strike after union rejects tentative deal, published 2023-07-18 (18 July 2023), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy.
[s6] CBC News, B.C. port workers union calls off strike notice hours after issuing it, published 2023-07-19 (19 July 2023), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy.
[s7] CBC News, Labour minister gives mediator 24 hours to draft settlement to end B.C. port strike, published 2023-07-11 (11 July 2023), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy.

Full event record: Longshore strike stops cargo at British Columbia ports. All stories.

Longshore strike stops cargo at British Columbia ports

What happened

Measured effect

Port calls, Vancouver (CA)

Container ship port calls, Vancouver (CA)

Port calls, Prince Rupert

Sources