Supply Chain Research

This year’s Atlantic tropical storm season has a 60% chance of having above-normal activity, with two to five major hurricanes expected by NOAA. While tropical storms frequently disrupt the oil industry, hurricanes can also have an impact on container shipping. Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 closed as much as 50% of eastern seaboard container capacity for two days, but the eventual impact was limited. Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 meanwhile cut handling by 9% for the entire month’s activity even though it lasted for eight days.