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

As European ports become more congested, yard utilization at the port of Antwerp, Belgium, which is being used as an alternative, is increasing. DP World has reported that "the Antwerp Gateway Terminal's yard utilization has reached a critical level," warning that operations could come to a standstill if additional measures are not implemented. The terminal is experiencing increased dwell times and contingency transshipment issues.

On Monday, February 10, at approximately 11:45 PM, a low-speed shunting maneuver at Westport Train Station in Ireland resulted in a collision between unladen timber wagons of a freight train and a stationary, out-of-service Intercity passenger train. The incident caused significant damage to one carriage of the six-carriage passenger train, particularly affecting the cab and side of the carriage. No injuries were reported. Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) promptly reported the incident to the Railway Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport and the Commission for Railway Regulation. An internal investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the collision. The damaged train has been transported to the Laois Traincare Centre in Portlaoise for a comprehensive assessment to guide the necessary repairs. During this period, the six-carriage train will remain out of service.

Flights in and out of Belgium will be halted due to a nationwide strike by air traffic controllers protesting government pension reforms and cost-cutting measures on February 13. The airspace closure will last from 6:45 am to 10:15 pm CET, impacting major airports including Brussels, Charleroi, Lige, Antwerp, and Ostend. All commercial flights below 7,500 meters will be grounded, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute services, except for rescue and medical flights. Airlines are working on alternative solutions for affected passengers, with some flights being diverted to neighboring airports, such as Maastricht Aachen Airport in the Netherlands.

Due to the new collective labor agreement at Hutchinson Port Delta II in Rotterdam, a strike occurred on the night of February 9 and resumed operation on February 10. Maersk said in a notice that the terminal is still facing an operational slump and that the amount of travel per hour is decreasing and ship rotation is being delayed. Hutchison Ports announces as follows and confirms the decrease in operating speed. Due to collective labor agreement negotiations, we face slowdown measures at the terminal from February 10. Request the carriers to consider the long waiting time at the terminal.

In early February 2025, a three-day strike by transport workers at Bangladesh’s Chattogram port severely disrupted export and import operations. The strike left 1,756 empty and export-bound containers stranded, along with 5,000 import cargo containers stuck in the port yard, delaying shipment schedules. Chattogram port handles over 90% of Bangladesh’s international trade and 98% of its container traffic, making the strike particularly impactful. Export container deliveries and import cargo clearance were completely halted. The strike began on February 4, following a clash between security personnel and transport workers over parking issues in Faujdarhat DC Park in Sitakunda. It was finally called off on February 7, after intervention by the deputy commissioner of port police.

On February 12, severe winter storms caused significant disruptions to air travel across the United States. As of 3:25 p.m. EST, there were 469 flight cancellations and 3,970 delays at U.S. airports. The storms brought heavy snow and freezing rain, leading to hazardous travel conditions and power outages in several regions. Airlines and passengers are advised to monitor weather updates and adjust travel plans accordingly.

South Western Railway (SWR) has announced a series of planned engineering works affecting various routes from February through April 2025. Railway lines between Gillingham and Yeovil Junction will be closed from February 22 to 28 due to maintenance work. Bus replacement services will be in operation during this period. London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids services will be revised, with some services diverted via Westbury and others terminating at Salisbury.

On February 11, Armidale Airport in northern New South Wales was closed until Sunday due to significant water issues destabilizing the runway pavement during scheduled maintenance. The destabilization, caused by repetitive equipment movement, rendered the runway unsafe for aircraft operations. Ongoing storms in the region have further delayed repair efforts. In response, bus services between Armidale and Tamworth have been arranged for affected passengers.

On February 11, Karachi faced severe unrest as citizens, frustrated with heavy traffic, set multiple freight trucks and water tankers on fire. In response, the Water Tanker Association suspended the city's water supply, and transporters staged sit-ins on major highways, blocking key entry points. The All Pakistan Transport Association (APTA) announced protests on National Highway, Hub Toll Plaza, and Super Highway, alleging a conspiracy targeting their vehicles. Major roads, including those near Port Qasim and Hub Check Post, were blocked, disrupting port operations and causing significant inconvenience to travelers. Transporters demanded government intervention to establish structured procedures and immediate compensation for the damaged vehicles, threatening a complete citywide shutdown if their demands were not met.

In early February 2025, Germany's Kiel Canal experienced three separate ship accidents over two days. On Thursday, February 6, the Malta-registered containership X-Press Mulhacen collided with the Dutch-flagged vessel Manfred. The following day, Friday, February 7, two additional incidents occurred: the cargo ship Rix Emerald ran aground, and the tanker Nordanvik suffered a steering failure, leading to a collision with the canal embankment. These incidents caused temporary disruptions to canal traffic, but no injuries were reported.