From India to Canada: Tackling a Complex Logistics Challenge

Introduction

In the world of logistics, every project brings its own unique set of challenges. Recently, our team took on a particularly intricate international operation—coordinating the import of ferrous alloys from India to a refinement facility in Quebec, Canada. The mission: deliver bulk and bagged cargo on a tight schedule, navigating multiple regulations and logistical constraints. Here's how we made it happen.

The Challenge: Bulk and Bags, Vessels and Time

The operation involved handling two different types of cargo: bulk ferro alloys and bagged silicomanganese. Both arrived in large ocean vessels at the Port of Contrecoeur, Quebec. The stakes were high:

Tight Deadlines: Each vessel needed to be unloaded within four to five days. Missing this window would have triggered costly demurrage fees, climbing into tens of thousands of dollars per day.

Diverse Equipment Needs: Bulk cargo required dumper trucks, while bagged cargo needed flatbed carriers—each with distinct operational and regulatory constraints.

Highway Restrictions: : Flatbed carriers could only operate from 7 AM to 11 PM due to provincial safety measures and regulations established by the Port of Montreal, which also governs operations at the Port of Contrecoeur. This added another layer of complexity to scheduling.

Strict Documentation: Precise tracking of every metric ton transported was essential to maintain accountability, accuracy, and transparency for the customer.

The Solution: Coordination, Connections, and 24/7 Dedication

Executing this type of operation required meticulous planning and seamless collaboration across borders, time zones, and organizations. Our success hinged on several key pillars:

1. Asset Strategy and Carrier Partnerships

We deployed a mixed-asset strategy to handle the cargo. Our in-house fleet of trucks and flatbed trailers was used to transport the bagged materials during the regulated operating hours. For the bulk cargo, we sourced dumper trucks through trusted carrier partners, leveraging long-standing relationships to ensure 24/7 coverage and availability.

2. Around-the-Clock Execution

Dumper operations ran non-stop, day and night, to meet vessel discharge timelines. Flatbed operations were tightly scheduled within their permitted 7 AM to 11 PM window to ensure maximum output without breaching highway regulations.

3. Real-Time Communication

We maintained continuous contact with all stakeholders—from the ship’s captain and dockworkers at the port to the personnel at the receiving facility. A dedicated port supervisor on-site ensured weight distribution within the vessel remained stable during unloading.

4. Custom Tracking and Documentation

Specialized Bills of Lading (BOLs) were created to accurately record the exact metric tons delivered by load. This provided our customer with full transparency and helped streamline inventory tracking at every stage of the operation.

5. Support with Customs Clearance

To ensure seamless cargo clearance upon arrival in Canada, we also connected our customer with a trusted customs clearance agent. This proactive step helped avoid delays at port ensured compliance with Canadian import regulations, further smoothing the transition from vessel to warehouse.

6. Rapid Problem-Solving

When one of the vessels arrived with an unexpected infestation, operations came to a sudden halt and our team had to adapt quickly. While the fumigation was handled entirely by port authorities, we were responsible for pausing all activity—right as all 10 of our carrier partner drivers were already on site and ready to unload.

The delay stretched to nearly a week, and the real challenge was reorganizing our drivers’ schedules. Many were committed to other projects, so we had to rapidly adjust availability, shift timelines, and reassign resources—all while keeping the overall operation on track. It required flexibility, fast decision-making, and constant coordination, but we ensured the project moved forward without compromising outcomes.

The Outcome: Seamless Delivery and Ongoing Collaboration

We successfully completed this complex operation multiple times, delivering all materials on time and without incident. This reliability and professionalism laid the foundation for a strong, ongoing partnership, and we continue to support this customer with similar operations today.

In the next phase, we coordinated the export of raw ferrous alloys. These were containerized in 20-foot containers and transported using our chassis from the facility to the Port of Montreal, then shipped onward to Europe. By managing the full cycle—from vessel discharge to export—we proved our ability to deliver end-to-end logistics solutions for international supply chains.

This project solidified a deep sense of trust and an ongoing, repeat collaboration with our customer, as we now manage domestic transport for them for Quebec and Quebec and Ontario lanes. We're enthusiastic about continuing to support their future projects, ensuring seamless logistics solutions and sustained partnership growth.