All the Hawaii ports located on the hurricane lane have been ordered to closure, the closure of ports is expected to disrupt cargo operations for a week.
What happened?
The port situated on the hurricane lane have been ordered to close down and this move is expected to disrupt cargo operations for days. The ports are expected to wait out the stork and then resume their operations in a normal manner. The vessels docked at the port have been instructed to vacate before the storm arrives.
Hawaii Governor, David Ige said, “Harbor notices have been sent out to all vessels that they need to vacate prior to the storm unless they have written authorization or for an exemption”.
The port closure cutoff times still could change if the storm slows down or speeds up, but no matter what, the U.S. Coast Guard mandates closure of commercial ports when winds above 39 mph are expected within 12 hours, and until the storm has passed and is no longer a threat.
Worst case scenario
Mr.Michael Hansen, president of the Hawaii Shippers Council said, “We’re looking at disruption of at least a week, that is best-case scenario and the Worst case is weeks without resupplies”.
He further added, “If we have any damage to the harbor facilities, if the hurricane comes closer and especially if the hurricane were to come ashore on the south coast of Oahu island in the area of Honolulu Harbor and the airport. We’re looking at, especially with a storm surge, potentially substantial damage. If that were to occur there would be a longer disruption. That would involve a much larger effort, and that 14 days that the state has been talking about (for minimum emergency supply kits), we will go far beyond that”.
Mr.Ige said, “This is because harbors are our lifeline to essential food and products. We don’t want a vessel being sunk in the harbor which would limit access for important shipments that we need to receive”.
Ports to be closed
Mr.Hansen added, “The Harbors on the Big Island and Maui had rolling closures set for Wednesday. Kauai’s closure is slated to follow after Oahu, so by Thursday night. But it’s the Honolulu Harbor closure that makes the biggest impact on the week’s pause in resupplying our food, drinks and goods. The only container cranes that we have in the Hawaiian Islands are located on Sand Island in Honolulu Harbor”.
Precautionary measures
In any case if the crane operations at the Honolulu Harbor are damaged, the ports need a Jones Act waiver and lots of assistance to start moving cargo in (on ships that carry their own offloading cranes). Currently, there are no Jones Act eligible vessels that have their own cargo gear that could be available for this.
Cargo backlog
Assuming ships are returning to damage-free ports, the estimated one-week cargo backlog is just Oahu. It could be a few more days wait for neighbor island resupplies.
Mr.Hansen said, “That cargo is first discharged from the mainline ships from Honolulu Harbor, and any cargo for the neighbor islands is transshipped on local barges. So the whole state will face that disruption”.
Ships advised to stay off course to avoid storm
Mr.Hansen said, “I would expect most of the ships to move to the northeast to avoid the storm and then after the Coast Guard gives the order for the return of vessels, the reopening of the port, then you’ll have to have an orderly pattern of vessels coming back. The ones that were in port and ordered out have to be completed first and then the other ships to follow, so we’re looking at at least a week of delay”.
Disclaimer: This video is intended for informational purpose only. This may not be construed as a news item or advice of any sort. Please consult the experts in that field for the authenticity of the presentations.
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Source: KHON
