Weekly Logistics Briefing Key logistics updates for the week (Week 1 of Feb 2025)

On February 2, United Airlines Flight 1382, an Airbus A319, was preparing to depart from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston to LaGuardia Airport in New York. During takeoff, the crew reported an engine issue, leading to an aborted takeoff. Passengers observed flames, prompting an emergency evacuation using both stairs and an emergency slide. All 104 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated without injuries. The Houston Fire Department responded but reported that there was no active fire upon their arrival. United Airlines arranged for another aircraft to transport passengers to their destination later that day.

On Sunday, February 2, passengers of Avanti West Coast experienced significant disruptions due to the resumption of strike action by rail manager members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT). The strike led to a reduced service of one train per hour between London Euston and cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Preston, with limited services extending to Glasgow. Additionally, planned engineering works in the Crewe area further compounded the disruptions, resulting in no direct Avanti West Coast trains between London and Liverpool. The RMT has indicated that if no resolution is reached, Sunday strikes may continue until the end of May.

On January 27, a fire broke out in the cargo hold of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Lowlands Diamond while docked at Aberdeen's South Harbor in Scotland. Multiple fire departments and specialist teams have been working for several days to extinguish the blaze, which has been described as "complex and unusual." The fire is contained within the cargo hold, and there is no immediate danger to the ship or port operations. Authorities anticipate that fully extinguishing the fire will require removing the burning cargo from the hold.

On January 31, a strong winter storm brought blustery winds and heavy rains to Hawaii, leading to flight disruptions at various airports across the state. The severe weather conditions caused delays and cancellations, affecting numerous travelers. Authorities advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest flight information and to exercise caution due to potential flooding and hazardous driving conditions.

On January 31, severe storm conditions in Iceland resulted in the cancellation of approximately 60 flights to and from the country. The adverse weather disrupted travel plans for numerous passengers, with the potential for additional cancellations as conditions persisted. Travelers were advised to monitor updates from airlines and the Icelandic Meteorological Office for the latest information on flight statuses and weather forecasts.

On January 28, railway staff across Bangladesh initiated an indefinite strike demanding higher pensions and additional benefits. The strike resulted in the cancellation of approximately 400 passenger and freight trains, affecting tens of thousands of passengers and disrupting freight transport. The state-run railway system in Bangladesh serves around 65 million passengers annually and employs about 25,000 individuals. The strike caused significant disruptions, with major stations like Kamlapur Railway Station in Dhaka witnessing large numbers of stranded passengers. Authorities arranged alternative bus services, but these were insufficient to meet the demand. The government expressed regret over the strike and indicated openness to further discussions to resolve the issue.

On January 28, a British Airways Airbus A350-1000 was struck by lightning multiple times on its tail while parked at São Paulo Guarulhos Airport in Brazil, as passengers awaited boarding. After thorough inspections by technical teams, no damage was found on the fuselage. The aircraft was subsequently cleared for departure and took off for London with a six-hour delay.

On January 27, dense fog and low visibility in northern India led to significant delays in rail services, with over 15 trains running behind schedule. The Patalkot Express (14623) was delayed by 437 minutes, and the Unchahar Express (14217) by 380 minutes. Other affected trains included the Kaifiyat Express (12225), Mahabodhi Express (12397), and S Kranti Superfast Express (12393). Railway officials have implemented additional measures to ensure passenger safety during these adverse weather conditions and advise travelers to check train schedules before heading to stations.

Dockworkers in France plan to strike for 48 hours in the first week of February, reports the Union for Transport and Logistics (TLF). The strikes are planned for 3 and 4 February and are expected to impact ports nationwide

On January 21, a rare winter storm brought severe weather to Texas, impacting port operations. Port Houston is closed until Wednesday, while Port Freeport is operating with limited vessel activity. All of Port Houston’s eight public facilities will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, the port said on Tuesday, adding that vessel operations will potentially be resumed at container terminals on Wednesday evening, if conditions allow.