With Hurricane Helene rapidly approaching Florida's Big Bend
region as a potentially devastating Category 4 storm, many Florida
ports, including Canaveral, Jacksonville, and Tampa, have been
closed in preparation. Significant disruptions are expected across
the Southeastern U.S., with storm surges, heavy flooding, and
dangerous winds threatening port operations and inland supply
chains. Prepulls from Florida ports are currently impossible, and
surrounding ports like Savannah and Mobile, which remain open with
restrictions, are also experiencing delays. We recommend preparing
for extended delays in receiving cargo until these ports reopen and
operations stabilize.
In addition, the ongoing labor strike on the U.S. East and Gulf
Coasts further complicates the situation. Even a brief strike could
disrupt vessel schedules well into 2025. The buildup of ships at
anchorages waiting to berth will cause major delays, and we
anticipate a significant backlog once operations
