British Columbia pulp producers, including northern B.C.-producers Canfor Pulp, West Fraser and Tembec, have reached a deal with CN and Squamish Terminals to improve the worldwide export of pulp.
Under the agreement, CN will provide seven-day-a-week service to Squamish Terminals, which will guarantee pulp cars are unloaded daily.
Canfor Pulp, West Fraser, and Tembec, as well as Daishowa Marubeni International, will manage inbound rail traffic to match export vessel schedules.
"This agreement will add greater transparency and accountability to the supply chain and will position all partners to achieve continuous process improvements in the years ahead," said Canfor Pulp official Rick Pingel.
"Reliable service will help us to grow our Asian markets for wood pulp," said Pingel, general manager of global logistics.
Squamish Terminals is one of the largest pulp handling terminals on the North American west coast.
"All the stakeholders in this supply chain will benefit from increased efficiencies and throughput and stand ready to increase their share of growing wood-pulp markets worldwide," said Vee Kachroo, CN vice-president, industrial products.
Tembec also welcomed the agreement.
"Seven-day-a-week unloading at the terminal will help to reduce potential issues in the supply chain and will support our efforts to ensure customers receive more consistent supplies," said Marc Leblanc, logistics manager of Tembec.
Tembec operates a hardwood pulp mill in Chetwynd. Canfor Pulp has three pulp mills in Prince George, while West Fraser has two pulp mills in Quesnel.
