In Week 25, we continue to see capacity constraints, labor unrest, and equipment shortages strain the global supply chain. Building supply chain resistance into your logistics program will help mitigate or minimize shipping delays and inventory shortages.
GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS: WEEK 25
LABOR UNREST: CANADA WEST COAST, U.S. EAST & GULF COASTS
A potential strike by workers of the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) remains a possibility as both sides are no closer to signing a new labor agreement. Ocean carriers have already begun to make preparations in the event of a strike by diverting sailings away from Vancouver to U.S. West Coast ports.
VESSEL CONGESTION GROWS: PORTS OF CHARLESTON & SAVANNAH
Carrier omissions are slightly reducing delays but wait times remain at 11 days this week with projections to drop to 6 to 8 days next week. A section of Berth 3 will temporarily reopen in week 26 allowing a third ship, up to 900’, to dock alongside occupied Berths 1 and 2. Toe wall construction will pause for two weeks coinciding with the July 4th holiday, enabling normal operations in all three berths to clear the anchorages.
PORT OF BALTIMORE OPERATIONS UPDATE
On June 10, 2024, the main shipping channel into Baltimore’s port has fully reopened to its original depth and width following the March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which blocked most maritime traffic into the harbor. It comes after a massive cleanup effort as crews removed an estimated 50,000 tons of steel and concrete from the Patapsco River.
BUILD SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE
A range of options are available for businesses to mitigate disruptions and build resilience within their supply chain including:
- Partnering with a freight forwarder that will leverage its network to keep your freight moving.
- Using warehousing facilities to maintain inventory close to key markets.
- Implementing visibility tools that provide real-time tracking systems to enhance efficiencies.
Stay up-to-date on freight news with Green’s Weekly Freight Market Update by following us on LinkedIn. For continuous updates, make sure to check out our website at greenworldwide.com.
