A federal court has upheld the Vancouver Port Authority's power to license trucking firms and require they sign on to an agreement covering rates paid to independent harbor drivers.

The federal government and port officials used the mediated agreement to end last year's six-week work stoppage by drivers who complained rates paid by shipping brokers did not compensate for rising fuel and maintenance costs.

The harbor drivers handle containers carry more than C$30 million ($26 million) in goods through the port daily. Most long-haul container traffic to and from the Pacific coast port is moved by railroads.