Bangladesh Unrest
Supply chain chaos across Bangladesh, the world’s third-largest exporter of clothing, has created the longest berthing delays anywhere across the globe.
Bangladeshi ports have been groaning under soaring traffic volumes in recent years, in line with the country’s emergence as a significant exporter, particularly for garments.
Some 50 ships are queuing in a 25 nautical mile stretch outside Chattogram (Chittagong) port following weeks of protests, curfews, internet outages, all of which have resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after 15 years of leading Bangladesh. Hasina fled the country as protesters stormed her palace in Dhaka. The army has taken over as an interim government, but chaos remains across the nation.
The port of Chattogram handles more than 90% of Bangladesh’s international trade, now has the worst berthing delays in the world, with many ships forced to wait in the Bay of Bengal for upwards of a week.
Vessel explosion at Chinese Port:
Yang Ming Line vessel ‘YM Mobility†V.079W has encountered a fire incident while berthed at the Port of Ningbo in China on 9 August 2024.
Preliminary findings suggest that an explosion occurred in a container loaded with dangerous goods on board.
Immediate fire control measures were taken, and the situation was quickly brought under control, all crew members have been safely evacuated and investigations are ongoing.
News outlets on Chinese social media platform Weibo said the container held refrigerated organic peroxides, a reactive chemical which is highly combustible and liable to exothermic decomposition, which causes heat that rises as the outside temperature increases.
Panama Canal:
The Panama Canal Authority have announced that effective immediately, the maximum authorized draft allowed for vessels transiting the Neo Ppanamax Locks will be 49.0 feet (14.94 m), based on the present and projected level of Gatun Lake for the upcoming weeks.
The Panama Canal had to adapt its operations because of the prolonged drought resulting from the climatic variations that affected the levels of the Gatun and Alhajuela Lakes.
The rainy season is gradually bringing the reservoirs to its optimum levels: Gatun Lake now is at 85.02 feet (25.91 m), while Alhajuela Lake is at 217.24 feet (66.21 m).
The Panama Canal remains focused on improving reliability, efficiency and responsiveness to the changing needs of the maritime industry; while continuing to monitor the level of Gatun Lake to announce future draft adjustments in a timely manner.