Supply Chain Industry Insights – April 2024

Industry Insights

April 2024

By PGL

In this episode of the PGL Industry Insights report, we check on the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, deliver some welcome news on the drought-stricken Panama Canal, watch as the Benchmark Diesel Price continues to defy expectations and we have one last bit of eclipse fun.

Welcome to the PGL Industry Insights report for April 2024

We begin this month’s report with an update on the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse in Baltimore. Great effort has been made to help with local trucking, including a temporary amendment of hours-of-service rules that allow for an additional two hours of drive time which has helped to alleviate some traffic concerns and allow for drayage drivers to temporarily shift to the port of Norfolk while authorities deal with the wreckage in Baltimore. As of April 22nd, 3 channels have been opened up to allow for traffic to and from the port, and authorities are pushing for a full reopening of the Fort McHenry channel at the end of May.

We have good news on the drought conditions that have limited passage through the Panama Canal, as recent heavy rainfall has had a positive impact on reservoir levels and allowed for increased traffic. Forecasts are indicating not only the end of the dry season, but also the El Niño conditions that have led to the historically low rainfall, and there are signs that a La Niña weather condition could be coming in August that would lead to a cooling effect and more rainfall long term.

Benchmark Diesel pricing has spent the month bouncing above and below the $4 line, continuing to subvert expectations that Middle East turmoil and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries would lead to soaring prices.

Lastly, as proof that logistics touches every aspect of life, we get a reminder that life also impacts logistics, sometimes in strange ways. Ahead of the eclipse that captured the attention of a wide swath of North America on April 8th, the Texas Department of Transportation halted oversize loads in 80 counties with consideration to the huge influx of umbraphiles adding approximately 1 million people to the area during the celestial event.

We’ll see you next month with another Industry Insights Report. As always, PGL will be here to keep you informed and will keep delivering peace of mind, 24/7/365.

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