October 28, 2026 - Coal and petroleum coke deliveries by rail to Canada’s Trigon Pacific Terminals have declined sharply during a labor dispute, with some shipments moving through Vancouver instead, according to RailState.

The rail-monitoring company recorded an average of 5.8 coal and petroleum coke trains arriving weekly at the Prince Rupert facility between October 2 and October 25. That represents a 48% reduction from the 11.2-train weekly average recorded during August and September.

The disruption comes as supply limitations, seasonal heating demand and uncertainty across energy markets have supported international thermal coal prices.

Workers represented by International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 523 began striking October 2 over compensation, benefits and working conditions. Canadian National provides rail service to the terminal.

Conuma Coal, Trigon’s largest customer, accounted for much of the decline. Its weekly train arrivals averaged 2.9 during the strike period, compared with 8.1 before the stoppage.

RailState also detected three trains carrying shipments from Conuma and Westmoreland at Vancouver’s Westshore Terminals between October 18 and October 25. The company said its monitoring had not previously identified either producer’s trains at that facility.

The decline contrasts with traffic patterns a year earlier. In 2025, weekly arrivals increased from 12 during August and September to 13.1 during October 3–26.

Labor Proceedings Continue

According to the Interior News, the Canada Industrial Relations Board rejected Trigon’s complaint alleging that the union had failed to bargain in good faith on October 20. Trigon had also sought a declaration that the strike was unlawful.

Five union complaints against the company remain pending, along with two related filings alleging improper use of replacement workers. Those allegations should not be treated as established findings.

RailState is tracking whether the diverted coal traffic returns to Prince Rupert or continues through Vancouver.

Propane Traffic Also Changes

The dispute has affected rail movements serving AltaGas’s Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal, which shares access infrastructure with Trigon. The facility receives propane from Alberta and northeastern British Columbia for shipment to Asian markets.

Before the strike, AltaGas sent approximately 975 LPG railcars weekly to Prince Rupert and 397 to its Ferndale terminal in Washington state.

During the first three weeks of the stoppage, those averages changed to 805 cars at Prince Rupert and 686 at Ferndale. Prince Rupert’s share of the combined traffic consequently declined from approximately 71% to 54%, according to RailState.

These figures describe rail traffic rather than confirmed changes in export tonnage.