Drewry has an insightful article on the problems the Panama Canal is facing due to the extended drought that has compromised its water supply.
The article discusses the water levels and also the prospects for a variety of shipment types, such as LNG and agricultural. The effect on trade patterns could be marked in a number of cases.
Drewry produces high-quality research and it’s must reading if you have an interest in bulk transport
Drewry, 12 Sep 2023
Tagged Bulk carrier challenges, Bulk shipping impact, Climate change effects on shipping, Impact on Bulk Shipping Routes, Logistics, panama canal, Panama Canal Authority, Panama Canal water levels, Panama drought, Shipping route disruptions, supply chains, sustainability, Understanding the Panama Drought, Water conservation measures
The drought in Panama has reduced water in the canal. Panama has imposed draft limits on ships. Large container ships sometimes need to offload cargo on one side and have it sent by rail to the other side.
Waiting lines of ships have built on each side of the canal, waiting to traverse it. The delays can be up to 5 days at present, according to the data from eeSea, a forecasting and scheduling company based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
These delays are already causing ships to avoid the canal by using the Suez Canal or even sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to get to Asia. These are much longer routes, but do not have delays. If the issues continue, cargoes will begin to be diverted at the start. That will be bad news for East Coast US ports.
Update: the second article below indicates that ships waiting are in the hundreds, but not as high as some have reported. It’s still a big loss of business for the Panama Canal.
Destine Ozuygur, head of operations, eeSea 14/08/2023
Ship queue grows at both ends of Panama Canal and congestion builds
Sam Chambers August 23, 2023
Panama Canal Authority sets the record straight on congestion figures
It’s clear that the EV ‘supply chain’ of charging stations has to expand to make EVs a success. So far, it takes longer to charge than to fill up with a liquid fuel, and the charging stations are not common enough. Couple that with a lack of standards for charging ‘nozzles’, and we see help is needed.
The European Union (EU) took a big step forward by passing a law that would greatly increase the number of EV charging stations. Every country in the EU now has to provide charging stations every 60km along roadways. Hydrogen stations also have to be provided every 200km. The number of stations is tied to the number of EVs sold in the countries.
By 2025, that would make about 600,000 charging stations in the EU, according to an estimate. There are 450,000 stations now. It’s not so many.
The new law is an example of how the EU leads the world in emissions control rules and intentions. Other nations need to step up.
By Jonathan Packroff | EURACTIV.de | translated by Daniel Eck
EU states agree to expand bloc’s EV-charging station network
Posted in Logistics, Sustainability, Trucking
Tagged carbon emissions, Electric vehicle market growth, electric vehicles, EU emissions control rules, EU EV charging requirements, European Union EV law, EV adoption in Europe, EV charging infrastructure, Green energy initiatives, Logistics, Roadside charging stations, supply chains, sustainability, Sustainable Transportation
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