AltaGas Ltd. confirmed the ratification of a five-year labour agreement with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 523B concerning operations at the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET). Unionised employees returned to work on December 25 after a 28-day work stoppage. The agreement outlines a framework for the full resumption of operations, with no public disclosure of financial or structural terms.
Operational continuity during the work stoppage
During the strike, AltaGas maintained export flows by deploying its operational management team as a replacement workforce. This measure ensured the company met contractual commitments with more than 70 international clients using the terminal’s open-access infrastructure. Commissioned in 2019, RIPET serves as a strategic outlet for Canadian propane exports, offering direct access to Asian markets.
The company stated that shipments continued without significant disruption or reported logistical failures. Internal operational oversight helped mitigate immediate commercial impacts of the labour action on export volumes. Management emphasised that safety and reliability remained top priorities throughout the disruption.
Impact on Canada-Asia energy trade flows
RIPET plays a central role in enabling Canadian propane to reach Asia-Pacific markets, where demand remains strong. The terminal provides a direct shipping route that supports Canadian producers by expanding access beyond the North American market. The return of union workers occurs as energy trade relations between the two regions continue to grow.
The reinstatement of union personnel is positioned as a step towards restoring full operational pace. Company leadership indicated that the labour stability achieved through the agreement may help reduce future risks of export chain interruptions.
Effects of the labour action on operational dynamics
The 28-day labour action highlighted the terminal’s structural reliance on skilled labour for port handling and operations. While export volumes were preserved, the prolonged absence of union personnel required internal operational reorganisation. No official figures were released regarding potential impacts on costs or margins during the period.
The ratified agreement opens a new phase focused on normalising activities and reinstating staff in their standard roles. AltaGas has stated that its objective is to ensure the stable operation of the terminal in order to meet growing international demand for Canadian propane.
