Weekly Logistics Briefing Key logistics updates for the week (Week 3 of Jan 2025)

Several unions involved in public transportation and airport management companies are scheduled to go on a nationwide strike on January 10 to raise wages and improve working conditions. Airport handling and managing staff employed by the SEA company, affiliated with the OST CUB transport union, plan to strike at Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Linate (LIN) airports 00:00-23:59 January 10. In the rail sector, maintenance workers employed by the Italian Railway Network (Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, RFI) will conduct a 24-hour nationwide strike.

On Friday, January 10, severe weather in the Southeast, particularly in Atlanta, led to significant disruptions for passengers at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky. Delta Air Lines canceled or delayed hundreds of flights, affecting travelers with connections through Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. As of 12:15 p.m., all five runways at the Atlanta airport were closed due to the adverse weather conditions. Delta reported managing "worse-than-expected" winter weather, resulting in the cancellation of 500 Delta and Delta Connection flights. Passengers at Blue Grass Airport faced delays and were forced to reschedule their travel plans. Some chose to return home or rebook for another day to avoid the possibility of being stranded during layovers.

Railway workers from the union employed by Hellenic Train are scheduled to go on strike nationwide from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on January 9. The purpose of the strike organized by the Trainose SEP and PEP unions is to improve working conditions and increase manpower. Hellenic Train's passenger and freight services will likely experience disruptions during the strike period that may linger into the evening

On January 9, Manchester Airport closed both runways due to significant snowfall. Teams are working to clear the snow as quickly as possible. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for flight information. Additionally, Transport for Wales reported rail line closures due to track damage from severe weather, with buses replacing trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog until at least Monday. A signaling system fault is causing major disruptions between Crewe and Wilmslow, affecting multiple services. Great Western Railway also reported flooding causing line closures between Liskeard and Looe in Cornwall.

In Mozambique, after the presidential election in October last year, large-scale protests occurred in many cities due to objections to the results. Delay in loading and unloading of cargo at Maputo, Beira, and Nacala ports. In addition, it is difficult for port authorities to guarantee the safety of manpower and cargo due to growing security concerns.

On January 7, severe wildfires in the Los Angeles area, particularly the Palisades Fire, forced several flights to divert from their intended paths. The Palisades Fire, which erupted on January 7, has rapidly expanded, leading to evacuations and significant disruptions in air travel due to the smoke and flames. Airlines have rerouted flights to ensure passenger safety, and travelers are advised to check with their carriers for the latest updates on flight schedules.

Port workers associated with the National Federation of Ports and Docks, part of the General Confederation of Labour, will carry out 4-hour strikes throughout January. Strike from 10 am to 4 pm on Jan. 7, Jan. 9, Jan. 13, Jan. 15, Jan. 17, Jan. 21, Jan. 23, Jan. 27, Jan. 29 and Jan. 31. In addition, the union announced that it plans to go on strike for 48 hours on February 3 and 4 if workers' demands are not met.

On January 7, a large number of protesters, primarily members of the Meira Paibis, staged a sit-in on National Highway 37 at Sagolband in Manipur. They were protesting the deteriorating condition of the highway, particularly the 8-kilometer stretch between Sagolband and Langjing Achouba, which has led to traffic congestion, accidents, and vehicle breakdowns. The protest caused significant inconvenience to commuters and transporters. This demonstration followed a meeting between Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and MS Deval, Executive Director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), where the Governor urged the acceleration of ongoing national highway projects in the state to improve connectivity.

On January 6, the 110-meter self-propelled container barge Nijmegen Max ran aground on the Maas River near Roermond, Netherlands. The vessel's bow became firmly lodged on a breakwater, while the stern remained in the navigation channel, leading authorities to halt river traffic between Linne and Roermond. The Nijmegen Max was refloated the following day without reports of injuries or pollution. This incident marks the vessel's second accident in recent months, following a collision with the Willems Bridge on the Nieuwe Maas River in September 2024.

In preparation for Republic Day celebrations, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport will suspend flight operations daily from 10:20 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. between January 19 and January 26. This 145-minute daily closure is expected to affect approximately 1,336 flights, including both domestic and international services. Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for updated flight schedules and to plan their travel accordingly.