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April 15, 2020 – COVID-19 UPDATE – WESTERN STEVEDORING GROUP OF COMPANIES

We felt it was important to provide an update and overview of our response to COVID-19.

The Western Stevedoring Group of Companies continues to work with industry partners, government officials and health authorities to take proactive, responsible measures to tackle COVID-19. More than ever before, local, national and international communities are called upon to work together to contain the virus and its consequences. The Western Stevedoring Group of Companies is committed to doing our part in this battle.

Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our employees, customers and stakeholders while ensuring business continuity for our customers.

Employee Health & Safety Measures, Site Preparedness

We have a cross-functional COVID-19 Response Team that has taken the following measures to mitigate potential exposure and spread of the virus:

working diligently to protect our employees working on the front lines with stringent safety measures in place, such as enhanced hygiene protocols (hand washing stations at key locations), physical distancing protocols (tents for additional break areas), use of appropriate PPE, and staggered shifts/breaks (where possible)
working with industry partners to source PPE and cleaning supplies
employees that can work from home are doing so
implemented virtual meeting technology
stopped all non-essential travel
visitor protocols on our sites have been adjusted to the current situation and we are requesting that most external visits (customers, partners, suppliers) be postponed or redirected towards virtual meeting options.

Our operations and safety teams have scenario planning protocols prepared, including updated cleaning and sanitation, and incident response procedures put in place to protect our people, minimize disruptions and ensure our operations remain intact for the long term. These processes support our operations with specific preventative steps, as well as response measures should we experience a positive COVID-19 case.

Ensuring employees are informed and feel connected through several channels is one of our key responsibilities — from daily and weekly email updates to virtual meetings — to address the current situation and provide support resources from reputable sources.

Supply Chain Continuity

The Federal government and the Province of BC have designated transportation as an essential service. The Western Stevedoring Group of Companies operates in all BC Ports and our operations in the supply chain have been identified as essential services. Like other front-line workers in healthcare, emergency services, food supply, telecommunications, and the energy sector, transportation work is vital. As a key component of the supply chain we facilitate the transport of numerous products that are very important these days – pulp is used in essential supplies such as medical masks, gowns, and personal hygiene products; steel and project cargoes are used for energy production projects (oil & gas); rebar for critical infrastructure projects; grain for feeding the world; container supply to keep much needed goods flowing into Canada.

We remain fully committed to providing essential services and innovative solutions to our customers during this time of global supply chain disruption. Except for our Cruise division, Western Stevedoring Group of Companies’ cargo operations at our terminals, yards and warehouses remain fluid. We are working closely with our customers and industry partners to ensure goods continue to move safely, while managing daily workload to ensure employee safety. Future impacts to our operations are predicated on local variables such as the health, safety and availability of employees, and global supply chain fluidity, which will be regularly assessed, and any changes communicated to our employees, customers and industry partners immediately.

Our teams are experienced with adapting to changing conditions and have collaborated to understand the risk of the pandemic for our supply chain partners, operations and suppliers, and we remain steadfast in our efforts – to serve the needs of and provide solutions to – our customers.

Community

While government response and support are essential, in times like this the private sector also has a significant role to play in alleviating the hardship faced in our communities. We have worked diligently to adapt our operations for COVID-19, and are now in a position to shift some of our focus to local community organizations to provide much needed assistance and support to help those most affected by this health crisis.

In closing

As a society we are facing difficult and stressful times. Federal and provincial projections being released show the stark reality we are facing in the fight with this virus. We feel it is critically important that we continue to work together and do everything possible to minimize the spread of this virus.

The Western Stevedoring Group of Companies is continuing to run its operations because it is safe to do so — we are aligned with the recommendations of the health authorities – and we are communicating with our employees about what we need to do to stay safe and healthy.

Wash Your Hands – Avoid Touching Your Face – Physical Distancing – 6 feet/2m Apart – Stay Home if you are ill/have symptoms

We will provide periodic updates should situations change, however if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your Western contact or email us at info@westeve.com.

Thank you so much for your collaboration and support during these uncertain times for us all.

Be Kind. Be Calm. Be Safe.

March 20, 2020 – COVID-19 UPDATE – WESTERN STEVEDORING GROUP OF COMPANIES

Western Stevedoring Group of Companies is carefully monitoring all government directives related to COVID-19. We are working with Industry Partners, Government and Health Authorities to respond both proactively and responsibly.

With the exception of our cruise operations, Western Stevedoring is not currently experiencing interruptions and cargo operations at our terminals remains fluid. We are monitoring closely with our customers and transportation partners to ensure goods continue to move.

Our priority remains the health and safety of our employees and their families, our business partners and the communities we operate in as we continue to provide the best level of service to our customers. To do our part to slow the spread of this virus we have taken a number of precautionary measures and protocols, including:

Following guidance from leading local and global health authorities (WHO, BC CDC);
Working with Transport Canada to implement directives and guidance with respect to vessels at our terminals including:
- Specific requirements by vessels for reporting health status of crew prior to berthing
- Attendance by health officials as required to determine course of action as necessary
- Specific operating protocols on the vessels following health authorities COVID-19 best practices
Communicating regularly with our employees & workforce and sharing best practice;
Increasing access to handwashing facilities and hand sanitizers;
Requiring any employee with any sign of illness to stay at home;
Increasing the rigor and frequency of cleaning across all operations; and,
Restricting unnecessary travel and implementing work-from-home procedures where possible.

We have set up a cross-functional COVID-19 response team to monitor the risk on a daily basis and ensure all possible precautionary measures and emergency response procedures are in place at our facilities.

At this time, we feel it is critically important that we work together and do everything possible to minimize the spread of this virus. As a society, we are all facing this difficult and stressful time together.

We will provide updates as the situation changes on our website and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter).

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email us at info@westeve.com.

June 15, 2018 – Squamish Terminals presented at the GreenTech Conference in Vancouver earlier this month with the focus being on Improving Waterfront Coexistence specifically as it relates to the dock fire and rebuild but also in relation to a number of other initiatives. We are also pleased to announce our Green Marine certification for the 6th year in a row.

SQT Dock Rebuild Green Tech 2018 Presentation

2018 Green Marine Certification

May 16, 2018 – Paul Morris announced as new Terminal Manager. Paul has been a part of the waterfront industry since 2002. Paul completed a diploma from BCIT in International Trade and Transportation. He started his career in operations at Fraser Surrey Docks, four years later he made the move to Western Stevedoring in North Vancouver, most recently holding the position of Ship Superintendent. Paul is a lifetime resident of the North Shore and is right at home in Squamish as he has a deep love for the outdoors. Paul is fully committed to the team at Squamish Terminals and to creating a positive impact in the community of Squamish and to its residents. He looks forward to the years ahead.

May 10, 2018 – Grieg Star & Western Stevedoring are excited to announce…

Western Stevedoring Grieg Star_Announcement – May 10, 2018

June 2017 – Squamish Terminals had InterVISTAS complete an Economic Impact Study. In this case, economic impact refers to the economic contribution associated with the ongoing activities of Squamish Terminals. The three major components of economic impact are classified as direct, indirect and induced impacts (as explained in the Executive Summary below). Together, they provide a snapshot of how the business of the terminal can impact the economy on a local, provincial, national, or international scale.

Squamish Terminals – Economic Impact Study – Executive Summary (760KB PDF)

Squamish Terminals – Economic Impact Study – Infographics (4MB PDF)

February 9, 2017 – Squamish Terminals is extremely proud to have created the Ron Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund (through the Squamish Community Foundation) to honour and continue Ron’s legacy. The Ron Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund will support an annual scholarship of $1000 to a Grade 12 student living in the Squamish Region who is registered to attend a post-secondary institution in either a transportation, political science or business field of study and/or must have demonstrated service to his/her community. We are so very fortunate for the generous donations to-date including Squamish Terminals, Neptune Terminals, BCMEA, Envirochem and individual donors.

Ron Anderson Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund Press Release

Squamish Chief Article

TO DONATE

January 6, 2017 – Squamish Terminals and One Ocean Expeditions hosted a screening of a new film “A Plastic Ocean” by Plastic Oceans Foundation Canada for the purpose of brining awareness to the use of plastic and the impact on our environment. Click on the following link to see the full press release – PRESS RELEASE. The screening was a great success in bringing awareness to the issue of single use plastic and raised $900 for each of the following local organizations; Squamish Paddling Club, Squamish River Watershed Society and Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue.

Press Release History