We are pleased to inform you that The Maritime Employers Association has lifted the lock-out and regular operations have been resumed at the Port of Montreal from 8.00 am on Saturday July 24, 2010. All rail traffic has resumed and construction work continues. Diverted vessels are now en route back to Montreal and we will arrange the swiftest possible delivery of cargo to our customers.
Cargo Diversion Surcharge (CDS) – OOCL MONTREAL V. 180W
The "OOCL Montreal" was proactively positioned from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Halifax as an act of good faith, and at a significant cost to OOCL as we sought to protect our customers’ supply chains and provide a viable alternate gateway port. With the subsequent resolution in the labour situation in Montreal, and the high burden placed on the limited transport infrastructure in Halifax, it has been decided that returning the vessel and cargo to Montreal will provide a more robust solution to our customers. ETA in Montreal of the OOCL Montreal 180W is today 26.7 at 06.30 hrs.
In order to recover the additional costs incurred by diverting the vessel, OOCL with now levy a CDS of US$145/20ft and US$290/40ft for all cargo (dry and reefer) loaded on board this voyage. By default this will be collected from cargo interests at destination by OOCL in North America. However, should your customers wish to prepay the CDS they should contact Customer Service and provide written acceptance of the charge.
For future westbound GEX2 sailings it has been agreed with our SLCS partner that the following recovery action will be taken in order to restore our GEX2 network at the earliest opportunity. After completing operations in Montreal, the "OOCL Montreal" will sail eastbound to Antwerp before returning directly back to Montreal, thereby omitting Hamburg on a single voyage. In order to provide adequate coverage for the important Hamburg market the "Toronto Express" will then sail from Montreal to Hamburg only, before returning Montreal. Schedules for both are still to be finalised. Thereafter all GEX2 voyages will return to pro forma port calls, though it may take another round-trip voyage to fully recover the schedule integrity.
OOCL deeply regrets the inconvenience this situation has caused and thank you for your patience and understanding. For any further information, kindly contact your local Customer Service Centre
