(Daily updates will be available on the Alberta Pulse Growers website.)

Pulse Canada and the CSCA are partners of the Ag Transport Coalition (ATC)*, which tracks performance of the Canadian railway network for the movement of grain.

A daily report has been created to provide stakeholders with insight on the performance of the Canadian rail system as it attempts to remain resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues recovering from a series of physical network disruptions in the months of January and February 2020.

May 19, 2020: Report Synopsis

Loads on Wheels

· Traffic levels declined for the third consecutive day reflecting slightly lower volumes on CN offset by higher volumes on CP.

· System volumes continue their downward trajectory last week driven by lower volumes on CN.

Loads Not Moving

· Loads sitting idle for more than 48 hours declined slightly overnight reflecting higher counts on CN and lower counts on CP

· Average daily counts last week rose slightly from the prior week for both railways although remain below levels that might be considered problematic.

Port Performance

· West coast port unloads (1,098) remained above 1,000 cars for the 14th time in the last 16 days.

· West coast vessel counts continue to hover around 30-33 vessels per day, a consistent trend in recent weeks.  Vessel counts increased overnight (+2) reflecting higher counts at Vancouver and no change at Prince Rupert – now at 33.

· Seven vessels are now scheduled to arrive at Prince Rupert and 19 vessels currently scheduled for arrival at Vancouver over the next two weeks.

All daily resiliency reports are available on the Pulse Canada website.

*The Ag Transportation Coalition is comprised of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC), Pulse Canada, Manitoba Pulse Growers Association (MPGA), Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA), Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Inland Terminal Association of Canada (ITAC) and the Canadian Special Crops Association (CSCA).

For more information, go to www.agtransportcoalition.com.