BC Maritime Employers Association

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) is a voluntary industry association representing terminal operators, carriers and shipping agents that power British Columbia’s ports. It supports member operations and coastal communities, helping keep the province’s ports thriving and sustainable while moving goods essential to Canada and global markets.

BCMEA works with its members to identify workforce skills, provide training and coordinate skilled longshore workers across the waterfront. Its services include workforce dispatch, labour relations, data analytics and WaterfrontWorks. The association’s Waterfront Training Centre offers comprehensive safety and operational training, using full-scale equipment, modern simulators and instruction from experienced ILWU instructors. This facility helps workers practise in a safe environment and continue developing their skills.

The maritime workforce supported by BCMEA and its members includes more than 7,400 longshore workers, tradespeople and forepersons who are members of ILWU Canada. Together with the union, the association supports workforce safety and wellbeing. Its network spans terminals in communities including Vancouver, Delta, Prince Rupert, Nanaimo, Victoria and Squamish, handling diverse cargo such as agricultural goods, forest products and critical minerals.