Americas
United States: Opened on April 25 in response to the Key Bridge collapse, the Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel saw its first vessel navigate through. This channel now allows stranded commercial vessels in the Port of Baltimore to resume transit, offering them a crucial route back to open waters.
On Monday, April 29th, The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has reinstated state-run safety inspections at the Ysleta-Zaragoza International Bridge in El Paso, Texas, resulting in hours-long delays for cross-border truck drivers. All commercial vehicles arriving from Mexico are being stopped and inspected. These inspections, which may extend to other cargo facilities in El Paso, significantly impact wait times and the flow of commercial vehicles entering the U.S., causing delays of over 8 hours at the bridge.
Asia-Pacific
India: At Sri Lanka’s Colombo port, container lines are struggling with severe capacity constraints as they rearrange their calls amid the Red Sea disruptions. The limited availability of berths, particularly for cargo to and from the Middle East, further complicates the challenges faced by container lines.
Europe, Middle East & Africa
European ports, particularly in Germany and Belgium, are facing challenges coping with a surge in vehicle imports, leading to congestion and delays as car sales slow throughout Europe. Further logistical issues, including a shortage of truck drivers, contribute to the longer dwell times for vehicles at these ports.
France: France's civil aviation authority and air traffic controllers avoided a major strike set for April 25 through a last-minute agreement. However, significant flight cancellations are still expected at major French airports, with further disruptions looming as The National Syndicate of Air Traffic Controllers (SNCTA) issues additional strike notices for May 9-11 and warns of potential action in June over negotiation disputes with the Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC).
United Kingdom: Aircraft refueling handlers at London Heathrow Airport are set to strike for 72 hours beginning May 4, potentially disrupting air cargo operations. The industrial action, initiated by 50 Unite trade union members, could impact services for numerous airlines and significant numbers of flights if aircraft are not refueled as normal.
