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Shipping Incident bulletin 9th August 2019
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This week’s bulletin contains updates about: Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Norway, France, India, Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, China, Brazil and Mexico.
Netherlands
Start date: 24th of July
End date: Ongoing
Fuel disruption impacts flight operations: flight operations were significantly disrupted at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol due to an outage at the airport’s aircraft fuel supply system. Several hundred flights were delayed or cancelled since July 24. No information as to when operations would normalize was available yet.
Portugal
Start date: 12th of August
End date: Ongoing
Portuguese fuel-tanker drivers have sent a notice of a strike starting 12 August for an undefined period.
This strike will have an impact on airport operations and while Portugal Post does have contingency plans in place to mitigate impact to mail operations, the quality of service may be affected during the strike period and delivery delays may result.
Spain
Start date: 1st of July
Expected end date: 1st of September
Airport workers plan multiple strikes: On June 30, local media sources indicate that the Aena airport workers plan multiple strikes at Bilbao Airport between July 1 and September 1. For July, planned dates for the industrial actions are 1, 7, 14, 15, 21, 24, 25, 28 and 31. Flight cancellations have already been announced for flights to Barcelona, Munich, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Further disruptions to airport operations are expected through September 1.
Start date: 26th of July
Expected end date: 13th August
Workers’ strike to affect highway traffic: Local media sources reported on July 3 that workers working on the Huerna highway in Spain called a 19-day strike during weekends and holidays starting on July 26. The highway between Asturias and Leon will be affected by work stoppages of more than 75 workers demanding better working conditions.
Norway
Start date: 1st of August
End date: Ongoing
Norwegian Post informs that following the modernisation of their International Mail Hub a proportion of Tracked mail is still experiencing delays daily. Norwegian Post has confirmed further enhancement activities are planned for processing improvement
India
Start date: 9th of August
End date: Ongoing
Flooding causes widespread disruptions: Media sources indicate on August 9, that monsoon rain led to widespread flooding-related disruptions across western and southern India. The national highway section between Mumbai and Bengaluru was flooded and left many cargo carriers stranded. In addition, Cochin International Airport in Kerala has been closed until at least 3 pm local time on August 11. Flooding-related disruptions are expected to persist for up to five days.
France
Start date: 24th of August
Expected end date: 27th of August
G7 summit in Biarritz, will impact letter mail and parcel transport and delivery as follows:
–  No parcel delivery in the commune of Biarritz (postcodes 642XX) from 24 to 26 August;
–  Disrupted delivery in the following communes: Hendaye, Ascain, Mouguerre, St Martin de Seignanx, Boucau, Tarnos (postcodes 64300, 64310, 64700, 64900, 40390, 40220) from 24 to 26 August.
Hong Kong
Start date: 5th of August
End date: Ongoing
Flights cancelled due to protests: On August 5, media sources indicate that over 200 flights were cancelled at Hong Kong International Airport after protesters disrupted transport services across the city. In particular, Cathaz Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines have been affected. It remains unclear when the situation will be back to normal.
Philippines
Start date: 2nd of August
End date: Ongoing
Flash flooding throughout Manila is disrupting traffic across the city, with several roads being inaccessible due to the flooding. Disruptions are expected to persist as more heavy rain is forecast throughout the weekend.
Taiwan
Start date: 8th of August
End date: Ongoing
Typhoon Lekima to impact northern Taiwan: Local media sources report on August 7 that Tropical Storm Lekima has strengthened into a Typhoon and is likely to reach between Ryukyu Islands, Japan and northern Taiwan by August 9. Associated disruptions are likely to occur in the region, due to heavy rain and strong winds.
China
Start date: 10th of August
End date: Ongoing
Super Typhoon Lekima to hit China: On August 9, media sources report that super Typhoon Lekima is heading towards the coastal areas of China, and is likely to make landfall near Wenzhou on August 10. Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to cause flooding-related disruptions throughout the following week.
Brazil
Start date: 31st of July
End date: Ongoing
Postal workers to go on strike: On July 30, local media sources indicated that workers with labour union Federação Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Empresas de Correios, Telégrafos e Similares (Fentect) will begin an indefinite strike from 10 pm local time on July 31 due to an ongoing conflict about a new labour agreement. The strike could disrupt postal services across the country.
Mexico
Start date: 23rd of July
End date: Ongoing
Flooding affects road traffic:Â significant flooding following heavy rainfall has affected road traffic across Oaxaca State in Mexico. Many major routes have been flooded, particularly in San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec. No timeline as to when the situation would normalize was immediately provided.
Start date: 26th of July
End date: Ongoing
Landslide prompts highway closure: on July 26Â a landslide has prompted a full closure of the highway connecting Xalapa and Veracruz in Veracruz State in Mexico. Significant road disruption has been reported in the area. It remains unclear as to when the situation will normalize.