CN, the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) and Maher Terminals Holding Corp. have announced a Level of Service Agreement to promote and better measure improvements in port performance and to enhance Prince Rupert's role as a preferred gateway on the west coast for Central Canada and U.S. Midwest markets.

The agreement establishes performance targets, customer service measures and productivity indicators to improve the flow of containers through the Prince Rupert gateway, including specific times for unloading and loading containers between vessels and rail cars, dwell times at the terminal, and CN transit times to markets in Canada and the U.S.

Claude Mongeau, CN president and chief executive officer, said: "I am pleased to see CN reach another important supply chain collaboration agreement with the principal stakeholders of a vital gateway for international trade. This agreement fully aligns the interests of CN, the PRPA and Maher in achieving continuous performance improvement at the port, will permit transparency in data collection, and encourage balanced accountability of port stakeholders.

"I also want to recognize Maher Terminals as the first container terminal operator to engage in electronic data interchange with CN, a major step forward allowing both parties to quickly capture and measure all events in the supply chain, from container vessel discharge at port to arrival at final destination."

Don Krusel, president and chief executive officer of the PRPA, said: "We are pleased to have built upon the strong collaborative environment at the Prince Rupert Gateway. This agreement forges a strong partnership to further improve the performance of the West Coast's most efficient gateway for transpacific trade and sets the stage for greater transparency for shippers in their supply chain management."

John Buckley, president and chief executive officer of Maher Terminals, said: "This agreement further underscores the excellent relationship and level of cooperation among CN, PRPA and Maher. In the relatively short period of time since start-up of operations in late 2007, the Prince Rupert Gateway has distinguished itself as the premier service provider for the transpacific trade. The Level of Service Agreement further enhances the commitment amongst the stakeholders to provide superior levels of service to ocean carriers and shippers alike."

CN has signed similar agreements with the Port of Halifax and its two container terminal operators, Port Metro Vancouver and two of its container terminal operators, and the Port of Quebec and one of its terminal operators.