Weekly Logistics Briefing Key logistics updates for the week (Week 2 of February 2024)

Several earthquakes, the largest of which registered a magnitude of 5.0, struck El Centro in the Imperial Valley. Southern California experienced over a dozen earthquakes within 25 minutes overnight, with the United States Geological Survey's Shake system highlighting a magnitude 4.8 quake near El Centro. The series of quakes, including one above magnitude 5.0, triggered cell phone s without causing major damage or injuries.

Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has rerouted all of its ships via the Cape of Good Hope due to attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea region on Feb 6. Before the Red Sea disruptions, 2-3 ships used to pass through the Suez Canal daily and currently, no ships of the company are passing through the canal. On Feb 12, 2/12, Houthi rebels claim to have succeeded in attacking the bulk carrier Star Iris. It was attacked shortly after midnight local time about 40 nautical miles from Al Mukha, Yemen and caused some damage to the starboard side.

An IndiGo flight from Amritsar to Delhi encountered a mishap upon landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport, causing a brief disruption. The A320 aircraft missed the taxiway, leading to a 15-minute blockage of runway 28/10. This incident required the deployment of a towing van to move the aircraft, temporarily affecting the airport's operations, which handles about 1,400 flights daily. This situation echoes a past event in 2017 with IndiGo under adverse weather conditions.

Spanish police clashed with farmers and truck drivers in Madrid during protests against EU environmental rules and perceived excessive taxes and red tape. The groups, advocating for competitive measures, attempted to block a main road, leading to police intervention. It is one of several protests sweeping the European Union against the bloc's environmental rules. These protests, part of wider European discontent, since Tuesday, Spanish farmers have joined their counterparts from Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and Belgium in daily protests that include blocking several highways and ports.

The airport workers' union is scheduled to strike at LIN Airport and MXP Airport in Milan from 00:00 to 23:59 on February 9 local time. Airport ground service and security operation are expected to be affected. Flights between 07:00 and 10:00 and 18:00 and 21:00 in Italy are guaranteed by law.

Railway workers are scheduled to go on strike for 23 hours across Spain on February 9. The CCOO labor union called for a strike to resolve the obstruction of negotiations between labor and management. The strike is expected to affect Renfe (the National Network of Spanish Railways), and ADIF (the state-owned railway infrastructure manager) nationwide.

Haitian protesters shut down major cities demanding Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation on Feb 5. Banks, schools, and government agencies in the northern and southern regions have been closed, and protesters have blocked major roads. Protests are expected to peak across Haiti on Feb 7, and protests are expected to continue unless the prime minister resigns.

A deadly "Pineapple Express" storm hit Southern California, causing torrential downpours, street flooding, and mudslides. Extreme weather advisories were issued for millions in California and Arizona, with authorities advising limited driving. The storm brought hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall to Northern California before moving south, with the Los Angeles area receiving over 10 inches of rain. This weather system brought winds up to 75 mph, resulting in power outages for approximately 875,000 homes and the death of at least two individuals due to falling trees.

The Verdi union announced that Lufthansa's ground workers will go on strike on February 7. Purpose of this strike is to increase wage and strike is scheduled from February 7th 4 am to February 8th 7:10 am local time. Strike airports are Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, and Düsseldorf airport. Lufthansa reviews 3,000 flights a day that could be affected by the strike and prepares an emergency timetable, but says many flights will be canceled.

Chile is facing its gravest disaster since the 2010 earthquake, with over 100 deaths, hundreds missing, and thousands of homes destroyed due to forest fires. The fires, potentially set deliberately, began in the Valparaiso region and spread rapidly to urban areas amidst a heatwave. President Gabriel Boric has declared two days of national mourning and emphasized priorities on life-saving, fire extinguishment, and disaster investigation.