Dockworkers at the Canadian west coast ports have voted overwhelmingly in favour strike action if contract talks fail.

Labour actions at the Port of Seattle which led to a shut down on Saturday have caused congestion with containerships waiting for up to eight days.

The Port of Seattle was shut down on Saturday as US West Coast port labour disruption continues.

Dockworkers at Los Angeles and Long Beach ports staged a slowdown late last week, with longshore workers not showing up for their shifts.

The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) has voted to accept a tentative five-year contract with US West Coast dockworkers that was agreed in February after nine months of negotiations

International Container Terminal Services Inc’s (ICTSI) Potland terminal has been dealt another blow as Hapag-Lloyd followed Hanjin Shipping in quitting calling at the port.

The ILWU Coast Longshore Caucus has voted in favour of recommending approval for the tentative contract deal for US West Coast port workers.