Weekly Logistics Briefing Key logistics updates for the week (Week 2 of Mar 2025)

Almost 300 flights were canceled at Hamburg airport due to a surprise walkout by ground handlers. The strike, led by trade union Verdi, impacted over 40,000 travelers, canceling 144 arrivals and 139 departures. The union is demanding an 8% salary increase, higher bonuses, and more time off, which employers consider excessive. Negotiations have stalled, leading to intensified strike actions, including extending to passenger security checks.

The explosion of a SpaceX Starship spacecraft disrupted about 240 flights due to space debris concerns, requiring 28 flights to divert. The incident resulted in 171 departure delays, with an average delay of 28 minutes, and 40 airborne flights were held for an average of 22 minutes. The FAA is requiring SpaceX to perform a mishap investigation into the loss of the Starship vehicle. This is the second straight explosion of a SpaceX test launch, a setback for a program Elon Musk sought to speed up this year

On March 8, Kuwait International Airport temporarily suspended all departing flights and redirected incoming flights to neighboring airports due to emergency repairs on one of its runways. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported that the airport resumed normal operations after completing the necessary repairs.

Air New Zealand has suspended all flights to and from Brisbane and the Gold Coast due to the anticipated impact of Cyclone Alfred on Australia's southeast region. The cyclone is expected to make landfall as a Category 2 system, bringing destructive winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, and flooding. In response, Brisbane Airport ceased operations on Thursday afternoon, public transportation in the city has been suspended, and over 1,000 schools in southeast Queensland and 280 in northern New South Wales have been closed. Air New Zealand's Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer, Captain David Morgan, stated that it is currently uncertain when flights will resume, as services will only recommence once roads and rail connections to the airports have reopened.

The South Korean containership SM Portland, with a capacity of 4,228 TEU, encountered severe winter weather and strong winds while transiting the Bering Sea en route to Vancouver. This led to heavy rolling of the vessel, resulting in the loss, collapse, and damage of 115 containers. For safety reasons, the ship has reduced its speed and will undergo an investigation by Canadian authorities before docking.

A nationwide general strike in Italy on Saturday will cause major disruptions to air, rail, and road travel, affecting 8,000 to 11,200 passengers on 50 to 70 direct flights from the UK to Italy. Key routes affected include London-Rome, London-Milan, Manchester-Rome, and Edinburgh-Milan. Another strike is scheduled for March 16, which will likely cause further flight disruptions between March 8 and March 20.

The indefinite strike by the Turkish Cypriot Port and Vehicle Workers' Union (Liman-Sen) at the ports of Famagusta and Kyrenia is ongoing, causing significant disruptions to port operations. The union is protesting against proposed changes to labor laws, which they believe will negatively impact workers' rights and job security. Despite ongoing negotiations between the union and authorities, no agreement has been reached, and the strike continues to affect the flow of goods and services through these crucial ports.

A blizzard is forecast to bring snow, high winds, and white-out conditions to the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, causing flight delays and cancellations. As of 9:40 a.m. EST Wednesday, there were 565 flight cancellations and 963 delays in and out of U.S. airports. Airports reporting double-digit flight cancellations include major hubs such as Charlotte/Douglas, Reagan National, Kansas City, Dallas, and Philadelphia. Thousands more flights will likely be disrupted as the day progresses due to the storm.

Gran Canaria has experienced severe flooding, leading to the closure of its airport and significant disruptions across the island. The town of Telde has been particularly affected, with roads submerged in mud and vehicles being swept away by fast-moving water. Authorities have closed beaches and advised residents to stay home due to hazardous conditions. Mayor Juan Antonio Peña has urged maximum caution, stating, "These are not easy times for the city of Telde. Let's stay at home and be cautious." While the rain has temporarily ceased, further downpours are expected throughout the week, and s remain in place for the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.

French ports face more strike disruptions in March, risking bottlenecks for oil logistics in the South. Four-hour work stoppages are planned for eight days in March, and a 72-hour strike is scheduled for March 18-20.