Commerce Express Weekly Road Map:
October 8th, 2024
Keeping you informed on the latest news/insights in our industry.
How The Trucking Industry Is Responding to Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Efforts continue as industry stakeholders respond to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in late September. According to the Florida DOT, 50,000 cubic yards of sand were removed along with the clearance of 12,300 miles of roadway and 1,400 bridges.
Over in the Carolinas, the North Carolina Trucking Association received urgent requests to help in deploying aid throughout 25 countries. They gathered truckers and distributed essentials and started coordinating deliveries, Transport Topics reports. NCTC also set up a donation page on their website.
Over in South Carolina, the South Carolina Trucking Association has worked with the Emergency Management Division to facilitate the delivery of critical supplies. Truckers were asked to assist with essential loads such as food, water, pallets, sand bags and other supplies.
Various news stories have highlighted how others in the industry are working to address this severe weather event.
Commerce Blog
Hurricane Helene pummeled the U.S. Southeast, leaving behind a path of destruction as far north as West Virginia. While hurricane-related damage is usually worst near the coast, Helene, a Category 4 storm, was especially potent farther inland as heavy rainfall spurred on historic flooding.
Western North Carolina has endured the brunt of the storm’s aftermath. Widespread flooding has resulted in a large swath of road closures across the region. Residents across the area remain isolated without direct access to gas, power, and communications. Both interstates 40 and 26, popular trucking lanes, are impassible, rendering direct travel from North Carolina to Tennessee futile at the moment.
Freight movement in the U.S. Southeast has stymied as a result. On the rail end, Norfolk Southern has taken several days to restore certain sections of its network. However, the railroad has since resumed key services through Charlotte and Atlanta. On the trucking end, a post-disaster biosphere has formed around western North Carolina and parts of neighboring states as well. Until critical infrastructure is restored, the region’s truckload market will be anything but usual.
U.S. East/Gulf Coast Longshore Strike ENDS:
The ILA union and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative agreement on wages after three days of work stoppage and decided to extend their master contract until January 15th. This allows both parties to continue negotiations on all remaining issues, most notable automation.
Port of Montreal Strike ENDS:
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 375 issued a 72-hour notice to strike, which started September 30th and operations resuming on Thursday, October 3rd. The strike impacted Viau and Maisonneuve terminals, with access prohibited and no rail, ship or truck services available during that time.
Weather:
Another significant Hurricane (Milton) is expected to hit the Florida coast this week, though it is uncertain where exactly Milton will make landfall. As of Monday, Milton was listed as a Category 5 Hurricane.
Experts at AccuWeather forecast Milton to lose some wind intensity and possibly weaken from a Category 5 hurricane, as the storm hits Florida but still expected to be a life-threatening storm.
The Port of Tampa Bay has suspended inbound and outbound vessel traffic, and their shipping channels have closed, due to the looming hurricane. Their landside operations remain open, as long as safely possible, the port said in a statement on 10/8.
This comes after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida two weeks ago and weakened to a tropical storm as it made its way through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee.
Diesel update: The average price of diesel increased 4.9 cents a gallon, putting the average price of diesel at $3.584 per the U.S. EIA.
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