Weekly Logistics Briefing Key logistics updates for the week (Week 4 of May 2025)

On May 17 (local time), a KLM flight from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands to Mumbai, India, experienced an engine fire shortly after takeoff and returned to the departure airport. The aircraft dumped fuel over the North Sea before landing as a safety measure. No injuries were reported. Authorities have launched an investigation, and the possibility of a bird strike near the airport is being reviewed.

On May 13 (local time), customs agents initiated a strike at the Port of Manzanillo, an international trade port on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The strike included entry point blockades and demands related to administrative personnel changes and reinstatement of dismissed staff. As a result, approximately 1,500 transport operations were affected. Authorities reported that the strike concluded on Friday and that normal port operations had resumed.

On May 16 (local time), a strike by NJ Transit train engineers led to a complete suspension of rail services in Newark and Hoboken, New Jersey. Striking workers formed picket lines outside NJ Transit’s headquarters in Newark and in nearby Hoboken on Friday morning. The disruption affected hundreds of thousands of commuters. Additionally, flight delays and cancellations occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

On May 11 (local time), the container vessel ‘CMA CGM Ermitage’, operated by CMA CGM, collided with the quay and a container bridge at the Burchardkai terminal in Hamburg, Germany. As a result, the container bridge became non-operational. No injuries were reported. The vessel is currently prohibited from departing the port pending an investigation. No initial statements have been issued by the shipping line CMA CGM or the terminal operator HHLA

On May 13 (local time), Cebu Pacific cancelled multiple flights due to the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon and volcanic ash. Affected flights on May 13 and 14 include routes to and from Bacolod and Iloilo. Impacted airports include Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark, Cagayan De Oro, and Hong Kong. Passengers may rebook, store travel funds, or request a refund through the Cebu Pacific website. The airline continues to monitor the situation and further updates are expected.