CIFFA Forwarder Magazine

17 THE FORWARDER | WINTER 2025 Moderator John G. Smith – Vice President, Content and Design, Newcom Media Speakers • Craig Bell Estabrooks – President & CEO, Saint John Port Authority • Andrew MacDonell – Vice President, Operations, IntermodeX • Rob Nichols – Managing Director, Domestic Intermodal, Sales, CPKC • Bill Robinson – Vice President, Corporate Accounts, Wellington Group of Companies With tariffs top of mind for many Canadians nowadays, John kicked off this panel discussion seeking information on how the tariffs are affecting Canada’s supply chains. Andrew is seeing customers involved in North American trade focus more attention on rules of origin, aiming to move their cargo tariff- free through CUSMA. Where necessary to meet CUSMA eligibility requirements, they are working to find new suppliers, changing their supply chains as quickly as possible. In trucking, Bill noted, freight volumes are down and bankruptcies are up. There is too much capacity in the market right now in both Canada and the U.S. Bill does not expect to see rates go up “any time soon.” Craig sees the current federal government’s focus on container activity and trade diversification as positive for Canada’s ports and maritime sector. CPKC’s customer base is not positioned to change their sourcing on a whim, said Rob; it will take time for them to do that. This has helped to insulate the railway from tariff impacts. Craig stressed the importance of collaboration to solve problems during periods of uncertainty. This is one way to adapt in the shorter term to the swings we’ve been experiencing. Long-standing relationships are also key to overcoming upheaval. To strengthen the Canadian supply chain sector, efforts to harmonize the regulatory environment for trucking from province to province must be successful, said Bill. The group agreed that removing internal trade barriers of all types is important. And clearly, trade diversification will help everyone struggling with reduced Canada-U.S. trade. To boost cargo fluidity, for both imports and exports, Craig said, more inland investments are needed. John asked the panelists about the application of AI technologies in their sectors. Andrew noted that one terminal at the Port of Vancouver is now utilizing AI to increase the efficiency of dispatch work. He explained that cameras at check-in lanes capture container images from which AI can extract information to enable prompt and accurate dispatch of the containers. The terminal is also looking at increasing its use of automated vehicles and self-driving pallet jacks, robots for unloading and other technologies that AI could enable and supplement. Trucking is “still a people industry,” said Bill. AI is used to help with paperwork and documentation. The National Supply Chain Office is looking to coordinate with Canada’s five major container ports – Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal, Halifax and Saint John – in metric-observation work, said Craig. The recording and analysis of data would likely involve the use of AI. CPKC is utilizing AI in safety efforts; for example, the railway recently developed optical AI readers to be installed across its network. The technology will monitor railcars as they pass through check points. Lastly, John asked each of the speakers to name the top operational issue facing his sector. In the trucking market, noted Bill, excess capacity and safety are top challenges, and they’re tied together. “Carriers have to operate safely on a level playing field,” he said. “Removing loopholes that have helped them increase capacity should also help enhance safety in the industry.” For Andrew, productivity is key. “Costs are rising, and there’s only so much margin,” he said. Increased productivity would help address that challenge. In the maritime and rail segments, long-term infrastructure investments are key to operational improvements. Rob also stressed technology investment and safety initiatives as a focus for CPKC. Successful strategies for cross-modal collaboration in supply chain L to R: J.G. Smith, A. MacDonell, B. Robinson, C.B. Estabrooks, R. Nichols