Weekly Logistics Briefing Key logistics updates for the week (Week 1 of Nov 2024)

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514, representing 700 foremen at British Columbia’s ports, announced a strike set to begin Monday, November 4, at 8 a.m. The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) has issued formal notice of its intention to defensively lock out all ILWU Local 514 members on Monday, November 4 at or around 09:00 am. The ILWU and the BCMEA have been bargaining since the current coastwide agreement expired on 31 March 2023. On Wednesday (October 30), the BCMEA presented a final offer, including a 19.2% wage increase but the strike follows the failure to reach a mutual agreement. The strike will impact major ports, including Vancouver Port and Prince Rupert Port. Strike terminals are all five western container terminals. (Centerm, Venterm, Delta, Fraser Dock and Prince Rupert)

Spanish authorities reported at least 158 people have died and many are missing due to severe floods in parts of Spain as of October 31(a heavy rain warning was issued until November 2). Most of the deaths occurred in parts of Valencia Autonomous Region, and buildings, roads, and other infrastructure were flooded or damaged by floods. Railway services have been suspended in most parts of Valencia, including services to Madrid and Barcelona, and most schools have been closed. Valencia port was closed on October 29, but it resumed operation on October 30 morning.

Typhoon Kong-rey is expected to land in northeastern Taitung County, Taiwan on the afternoon of October 31 and move north-northwest across Taiwan at the end of October 31 to enter the Taiwan Strait. Kong-rey is expected to turn north-northeast from the coast of Fujian Province, China on November 1, weaken into a tropical storm, and then move northeast across the East China Sea from November 1 to 2. In Taiwan, schools, offices, and financial markets will be closed in all cities and counties on October 31. Uni Airlines (B7) and Mandarin Airlines (AE) canceled all domestic flights on October 31, and Hong Kong Express Airlines (UO) canceled 18 flights connecting major Taiwanese cities such as Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung to Hong Kong on October 31. China Airlines (CI), Tiger Air Taiwan (IT), Singapore Airlines (SQ), and Starlux Airlines International (JX) announce notices of delays, schedule changes, or cancellations of international flights to and from Taiwan.

As of October 29, railway delays are occurring at major terminals in Hamburg. Delays of about 4 hours are reported at Eurokombi Terminal (EKOM) and about 5 hours at Altenwerder Container Terminal (CTA). As railroad traffic increases, it is difficult to secure freight wagons for new cargo transportation. Railroad service operators emphasize that they cannot guarantee on-time delivery and collection of containers, and that loading and departure delays and some cancellations are expected. Due to train length restrictions and construction, the access road to CTA was temporarily closed, and IGS Intermodal saw a backlog of up to 30 hours. Since 26 October, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) has implemented a confirmation scheme for disposable arrivals in Hamburg due to the increasing number of stopped trains. Eurogate Terminal is also suffering from a shortage of trucking slots, which delays container delivery and pickup.

Air India has canceled around 60 flights to the US in November and December due to aircraft maintenance issues and supply chain constraints. The cancellations affect major US destinations such as San Francisco, Washington, Chicago, Newark, and New York. Key routes impacted include Delhi-Washington, Delhi-New York, Mumbai-New York, Delhi-San Francisco, and Delhi-Chicago.

According to the railway operator METRANS, the Slovenian railway infrastructure authorities announced a series of railway closures from October to December 2024. This closure is necessary for reconstruction and modernization work, and is expected to affect train timetables and transportation volume in various sections. Lj. Siska-Kranj section is completely closed from 08:50 to 17:00 for a total of 5 days (10/27, 11/10, 11/17, 12/14, 12/15) and Jesenice-Jesenice Border closed from 07:00 on November 23 to 05:30 on 1 November 25. Due to modernization work, Line 20/21 near Ljubljana route is closed from November 29 22:30 to December 2 04:00.

On October 28, Houthi rebels claimed attacks on Motaro, SC Montreal, and Maersk Kowloon. Attacks on Motaro have been confirmed, but attacks on SC Montreal and Maersk Kowloon have not been confirmed. The vessel experienced three explosions between 2:35 PM and 4:37 PM GMT but sustained no significant damage, and the crew remained safe. The Motaro continued its voyage to its next port of call.

WorkSafeBC has launched an investigation into an incident involving a crane in East Vancouver, where the crane dropped its load after the sling holding it snapped. The incident occurred at the 1000 block of East Hastings Street around 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday morning. This is the second crane-related incident in Metro Vancouver this month, following an incident at the Oakridge Park development on October 3.

Unionized transport workers affiliated with the National Transportation Board (Mesa Nacional del Transporte) have called for a 24-hour nationwide strike October 30. Purpose of strike is to demand higher wages and greater union rights. The strike will reportedly affect services for airplanes, freight trucking, trains.

The MV Ruby, a ship carrying 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a potentially explosive fertilizer, will dock at the Port of Great Yarmouth despite concerns over its safety. The ship was previously turned away from docks in Norway and Latvia due to damage sustained during adverse weather conditions. The cargo poses no threat, according to the port's director, Richard Goffin, who assured that the port will take responsibility for accommodating the vessel under strict safety measures. The ship will be berthed in a suitable location to allow for the safe discharge of its cargo before continuing its onward journey.