Both the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Montreal are experiencing disruptions, which have led or will lead to upcoming terminal closures. The Port of Los Angeles is dealing with a recent lithium battery fire, while the Port of Montreal is bracing for a potential strike next week.

At the Port of Los Angeles, a tractor-trailer carrying lithium batteries overturned and ignited near Ocean & Navy Way on Terminal Island yesterday. As a result, APM Terminals, Fenix Marine, Everport, TTI, and Yusen Terminals are closed today, September 27. Meanwhile, Trapac and West Basin Container Terminal, along with the World Cruise Center, will continue their operations as normal.

A Port of Los Angeles spokesperson stated, “We are collaborating with responding agencies, container terminal operators, union officials, and other stakeholders to ensure safety and minimize disruptions.” The Los Angeles Fire Department released a statement on Thursday that they will continue to monitor the fire all day today, and CA-47 from the Vincent Thomas Bridge to Long Beach will remain closed during that time. Motorists are encouraged by port authorities to seek alternate routes, with traffic being diverted away from the impacted area.

Additionally, at the Port of Montreal, the Longshore Union served management a 72-hour strike notice today after failing to come to an agreement with the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) earlier this week. The previous longshore workers’ union agreement expired on December 31. The strike is expected to impact two terminals, owned by Termont Montreal, with a work stoppage from 7 a.m. Monday, September 30, until Thursday, October 3.

Sources:

Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Disrupts Port of Los Angeles, Closing Terminals (gcaptain.com)

Port of Montreal dockworkers threaten 3-day strike beginning Monday | (CBC News)