Port of Montreal Closed!

[GeriatricNurse]

So, where will the Maasdam now dock on the Boston to Montreal Canada/New England cruises now that the Port of Montreal has been closed because the longshoremen have been locked out?:(

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been on cruises where the longshoreman were on strike -- Seattle for one. The workers agreed to get the luggage on and off the ship -- did nothing more.

We actually got out luggage early on that cruise. The strike was still on when we stopped on LA and San Francisco.

Absolutely no supplies were put on the ship. And we were on a 21 day repositioning cruise after the ship had just completed a 7 day Alaskan cruise -- Amsterdam.

Don't think they will have any problems docking or getting passengers on and off the ship.

[Twickenham]

Considering that the Maasdam is off on her Voyage of the Vikings for a month, I'm thinking this dispute will be regulated by the time the Maasdam returns.

However, if need be, we could keep her in Quebec City for an extra day...:D

[CtheW0rld]

you'll have another sea day or an alternate port. i'm sure hal will do what they can.

[holacanada]

I fully agree with Twickenham, why not take a day more to visit our beautiful city !

Holacanada will be aboard NA in 65 days, 12 hours, 57 minutes and 4 seconds

[sail7seas]

you'll have another sea day or an alternate port. i'm sure hal will do what they can.


Not so easy.

Montreal is the embark/disembark port for Maasdam doing Canada/New England cruises, Boston to Montreal to Boston.

As stated, Maasdam left Saturday for 35 days Transatlantic to Rotterdam and back to Boston. It will be another 7 days after that until she is scheduled to arrive in Montreal. (6 weeks until a call scheduled for Montreal). Hopefully, the longshoremen will have worked out their issues by then.

An alternative overnight and embark/debark in Quebec City is always an alternative but certainly a major reconoiter for those with hotel, air, tour bookings.

I have no clue the logistics involved for HAL but that is why they are the experts :D and they do all the worrying in that regard. :)

We love Montreal but would treasure an overnight in Quebec City.

[GeriatricNurse]

We have been on cruises where the longshoreman were on strike -- Seattle for one. The workers agreed to get the luggage on and off the ship -- did nothing more.

We actually got out luggage early on that cruise. The strike was still on when we stopped on LA and San Francisco.

Absolutely no supplies were put on the ship. And we were on a 21 day repositioning cruise after the ship had just completed a 7 day Alaskan cruise -- Amsterdam.

Don't think they will have any problems docking or getting passengers on and off the ship.


And so, if "absolutely no supplies were put on the ship", was the food & drink reduced to "half rations"?:)

[GeriatricNurse]

Considering that the Maasdam is off on her Voyage of the Vikings for a month, I'm thinking this dispute will be regulated by the time the Maasdam returns.

However, if need be, we could keep her in Quebec City for an extra day...:D

I fully agree with Twickenham, why not take a day more to visit our beautiful city !

Holacanada will be aboard NA in 65 days, 12 hours, 57 minutes and 4 seconds


Better for the Port of Quebec City related ?extra revenue from port fees!:)

[holacanada]

For me, more «Quebec City Lover» as a lifetime citizen than money consideration.

Holacanada

[tomc]

This happened in, I think, a US west coast port and an exception was made for cruise ships' provisioning.

[m steve]

It should be over by the time the fall cruises start. Most of these strikes are short lived. I would follow it on line checking the Montreal Star.

[Jade13]

you'll have another sea day or an alternate port. i'm sure hal will do what they can.

That doesn't help is one is scheduled to board/or disembark in Montreal.

[sapper1]

We have been on cruises where the longshoreman were on strike -- Seattle for one. The workers agreed to get the luggage on and off the ship -- did nothing more.

We actually got out luggage early on that cruise. The strike was still on when we stopped on LA and San Francisco.

Absolutely no supplies were put on the ship. And we were on a 21 day repositioning cruise after the ship had just completed a 7 day Alaskan cruise -- Amsterdam.

Don't think they will have any problems docking or getting passengers on and off the ship.
KK----According to the news last night, the port is shut down----period. As others have said, it would be nice if this were over by the time the Maasdam needs to return there. Thankfully it didn't happen in the earlier part of the summer.

[earl_m]

It is not a strike. Its a lockout . I am sure the federal government will not let it last too long.

[YXU AC*SE]

It should be over by the time the fall cruises start. Most of these strikes are short lived. I would follow it on line checking the Montreal Star.

Touché m'sieur -- well played. :-) Scott.

[Krazy Kruizers]

And so, if "absolutely no supplies were put on the ship", was the food & drink reduced to "half rations"?:)

It got to be very interesting. When this happen HAL didn't have any shopping places that they could go to in any of the Mexican ports.

Then we were allowed to buy alcohol in the gift shop to take back to our cabins -- we did never dreaming that many brands would be sold out very quickly.

Wines for dinner -- by the last 5 days of the cruise we were given a list of what was left of the ship with a 10% discount.

Dinner entrees were limited to 5 -- some interesting ones like veal with spaghetti.

One thing that came onto the ship in LA -- the Norvo virus!!

This was back in 2002. After we got off the ship near the end of Oct, there were a couple of more cruises where the Noro virus really got bad and HAL actually had to cancel a couple of cruises -- one over Thanksgiving -- to get the ship really cleaned.

[Krazy Kruizers]

It is not a strike. Its a lockout . I am sure the federal government will not let it last too long.

Thank you Earl for clearing that up.

A strike and a lockout are entirely different.

I had forgotten that the Maasdam isn't on her routine Canada/New England cruises.

[Himself]

Last October I did the Zuiderdam Cruise to Gatun Lake and back and the day after the canal we were to Dock in Puerto Limon in Costa Rica. Well wouldn't you know it the dock workers went out on strike and would not allow the Zuiderdam to tie up at the port nor would they let us anchor at sea and tender in. It was quite a scene.

[sail7seas]

Years ago, we were scheduled to visit Lisbon. The dock is downtown and Captain made an announcement there was a harbor pilot's strike scheduled for next day. He said we could get into port but would not be permitted to leave as scheduled and would have to overnight. We all cheered :) and we overnighted. Had a great time.

[tomc]

If they have to provision in Montreal, Quebec's not that far away and (a) the trucks can just go the 250km north or (b) zee Quebecois weeel be more zan 'appy to provide what's needed.

Mtl Dock Owners: "Tough marde." (Quebec spelling.)
HAL: "We can stay in Quebec City and get our stuff there."
Mtl Suppliers: "Nice going, dockers. What goes around, etc."
Quebec Suppliers: "Ah, bon; bienvenue. We 'af plenty for you an' the prices are right. Well, maybe just a little high during the strike."
HAL: "Halifax isn't that far away."
Que. Suppliers: "But, c'est bon, we can always find a discount for our favorite cruise line.
Mtl Dock Owners: "But wait! The government is twisting ... uh, persuading us to allow cruise ships to dock as normal."
Que. Dock Owners: Quebec City is so lovely overnight; is for lovers, hunh hunh hunh. We can adjust the docking fee. You've done this before; let us 'elp you again.

[bob brown]

Let's hope that things will be back to normal by the time the Maasdam is scheduled to arrive at Montreal. If not, Quebec City would be a good alternate as there is good public air, rail, and bus transportation available between the two cities---about a three hour drive.

It would be sad if people already booked do miss the segment between Quebec and Montreal. To me that river portion is the highlight of the cruise.

[aliaschief]

And so, if "absolutely no supplies were put on the ship", was the food & drink reduced to "half rations"?:)

Unless things have changed the MS Maasdam, in the past has always been resupplied in Boston.

[YXU AC*SE]

Good news: Scott.

[source: http://www.port-montreal.com/news/en_149_2.pdf]

The MPA heartily welcomes the agreement reached between the Maritime Employers Association and its unionized employees to end their labour dispute

Montreal, July 23, 2010 – The Montreal Port Authority welcomes the agreement reached today between the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) and its longshore labour force allowing work to resume at the Port of Montreal’s terminals. The MPA also welcomes the announcement of the resumption of talks on renewal of the collective agreement, and hopes that the parties quickly agree on this issue to ensure that the Port of Montreal can continue its long-term development.

The Montreal Port Authority’s mission is to manage port infrastructures and facilitate the development of shipping and logistical operations in order to promote trade and contribute to the prosperity of Greater Montreal, Québec and Canada. It was not party to the conflict and regrets the inconveniences that this situation caused to users of port services, shippers and their customers. It will do everything in its power to get things back to normal fast and ensure the shipment of all cargo currently in the Port.

Following this back to work agreement, here is the situation at the Port of Montreal:
● The terminals affected by the labour dispute will resume operation on Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
● All rail traffic has resumed.
● Construction work continues.
● Vessels that were diverted and not unloaded in another port are en route back to the Port of Montreal.
● The Port entrances at Berri, Viau and Hector-Barsalou streets remain open. The other entrances will gradually reopen. They will all be reopened by Saturday morning unless otherwise specified.

About the Port of Montreal

Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is a major diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods - non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. It is a leading container port served by 7 of the 10 largest container shipping lines in the world. Close to 1,250,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were handled at the Port of Montreal in 2009, representing 11,266,000 tonnes of cargo.

The Port also handled 7,773,000 tonnes of liquid bulk, 2,898,000 tonnes of dry bulk, and 2, 419,000 tonnes of grain in 2009.

The Port of Montreal owns its own rail network, operated directly on the piers. It is connected to the two nationwide railways and a highway system.
The Port also operates its own grain terminal and a marine passenger terminal that welcomed 47,534 passengers and crew members in 2009. All the other terminals are operated by private stevedoring firms. Port activity supports 18,200 jobs and generates $1.5 billion in economic spin-offs per year.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for the update!!

[Math Guy]

Good news: Scott.

[source: http://www.port-montreal.com/news/en_149_2.pdf]

The MPA heartily welcomes the agreement reached between the Maritime Employers Association and its unionized employees to end their labour dispute

Montreal, July 23, 2010 – The Montreal Port Authority welcomes the agreement reached today between the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) and its longshore labour force allowing work to resume at the Port of Montreal’s terminals. The MPA also welcomes the announcement of the resumption of talks on renewal of the collective agreement, and hopes that the parties quickly agree on this issue to ensure that the Port of Montreal can continue its long-term development.

The Montreal Port Authority’s mission is to manage port infrastructures and facilitate the development of shipping and logistical operations in order to promote trade and contribute to the prosperity of Greater Montreal, Québec and Canada. It was not party to the conflict and regrets the inconveniences that this situation caused to users of port services, shippers and their customers. It will do everything in its power to get things back to normal fast and ensure the shipment of all cargo currently in the Port.

Following this back to work agreement, here is the situation at the Port of Montreal:
● The terminals affected by the labour dispute will resume operation on Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
● All rail traffic has resumed.
● Construction work continues.
● Vessels that were diverted and not unloaded in another port are en route back to the Port of Montreal.
● The Port entrances at Berri, Viau and Hector-Barsalou streets remain open. The other entrances will gradually reopen. They will all be reopened by Saturday morning unless otherwise specified.

About the Port of Montreal

Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is a major diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods - non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. It is a leading container port served by 7 of the 10 largest container shipping lines in the world. Close to 1,250,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were handled at the Port of Montreal in 2009, representing 11,266,000 tonnes of cargo.

The Port also handled 7,773,000 tonnes of liquid bulk, 2,898,000 tonnes of dry bulk, and 2, 419,000 tonnes of grain in 2009.

The Port of Montreal owns its own rail network, operated directly on the piers. It is connected to the two nationwide railways and a highway system.
The Port also operates its own grain terminal and a marine passenger terminal that welcomed 47,534 passengers and crew members in 2009. All the other terminals are operated by private stevedoring firms. Port activity supports 18,200 jobs and generates $1.5 billion in economic spin-offs per year.


The National Post ( Financial Section ) reports that the union membership voted unanimously to accept the back-to-work protocol with the help of a federal mediator, so it does look good for settling this issue, at least for now.

[sail7seas]

Good news. Hope it ends the issue at least for some extended period of time. It would be less than great if it will be an on again off again work stoppage.

[m steve]

These work stopages always do.