Hurricane Ida: Disruption to Freight Movement 01/09/21

Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday 29^th August as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S. and has weakened to a tropical depression making its way from the Gulf Coast through the mid-south towards the northeast.

The effects of the hurricane impacted vessel schedules, port, rail, and air operations and some have limited operations or remain closed until further notice from government agencies and stakeholders.

• Tropical storm Ida has shuttered ports, halted rail operations and could have long-term effects on manufacturing and supplies in the region
• The Port of New Orleans cargo operations closed Monday 30^th September including container and breakbulk terminals. Flood gates and rail operations are also closed. Norfolk Southern terminals in New Orleans are closed, it said in a service alert service alert Sunday 29th September. Customers with shipments destined to or through this affected area should expect delays up to 48 - 72 hours
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an emergency declaration for Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas for trucks and drivers transporting emergency supplies, fuel and persons in the states.

It's not unusual in the immediate aftermath of a storm for trucking capacity to tighten and spot rates to rise.

The already limited supply of trucks and drivers available in the current market are being redirected to haul relief supplies or provide other emergency services. Tanker trucks will need to haul fuel used to power generators. No one questions the merits of this course, but it will leave even fewer trucks available to carry goods everywhere else, intensifying already-profound shortages.

Shippers across industries are advised to expect delays on their freight shipments. For rail and intermodal shippers, the closure of the New Orleans Rail Gateway means rail interchanges may be closed.

Domestic transportation has also been affected and inland routing will continue to be a challenge as we approach the long Labor Day holiday weekend.

We continue to monitor the situation closely. Should you have any queries relating to specific bookings, please get in touch.