This week’s Freight Market Update brings good news for shippers choosing the U.S. West Coast ports as capacity is loosening. Week 28 started with a category 1 hurricane bringing the U.S. Gulf Coast supply chain to a temporary halt while German dockworker strike stopped port operations in Hamburg, Germany.
HURRICANE BERYL HITS U.S. GULF COAST
The category 1 storm made landfall in the Texas Gulf Coast early Monday, July 8, 2024. Bringing with it pelting rain, 80 mph winds, storm surges, and flash floods, Hurricane Beryl ground supply chain operations to a 2-day halt. The Port of Houston shuttered operations Monday and Tuesday to brace for and recover from the storm. The Port resumed operations today, Wednesday, July 10 with extended operating hours scheduled through Saturday, July 13 to mitigate congestion. Power outages continue to plague the Houston area and may create minor freight delays while warehousing and trucking suppliers recover from the storm.
GERMAN DOCKWORKER LABOR STRIKE
Dockworker strikes are taking place at all terminals of the port of Hamburg starting July 9, 2024, and running for 48 hours through July 11 at 7 a.m. local time. The first, second, and third shift will all be participating in the work stoppage
U.S. EAST COAST TIGHT CAPACITY
The Red Sea crisis and container shortages continue to impact capacity. Vessel diversions around the Cape of Good Hope increase travel times affecting the number of container available for new shipments. Vessel wait times at congested ports further exacerbate the problem leading to port omissions and rolling pools.
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