This article is written by Austin Garcia
Tropical Storm Alberto wreaked havoc in northeast Mexico, leading to extensive flooding, power outages, and road closures, especially impacting the manufacturing hub around Monterrey. The storm disrupted shipments at the port of Altamira, closed the port of Tampico, and slowed cross-border automotive parts shipments to the US through Laredo. It also caused flooding in parts of the US gulf coast, including Galveston.
Altamira, Mexico’s fourth-largest container port, was closed on June 19, affecting several ships and slowing them down to avoid congestion. The storm has significantly impacted containerized parts imports through Altamira, a key player in vehicle processing.
Severe flooding around Monterrey has greatly affected road freight routes, with a toll road leading into Monterrey closed due to mudslides, causing significant traffic delays. Despite these challenges, carriers are doing their best to keep freight moving, even if it means taking a detour that adds eight hours of travel time to get to Monterrey.
The storm’s aftermath continues to challenge the logistics and manufacturing sectors in northeast Mexico. The storm’s impact on the region’s infrastructure has disrupted supply chains and delayed production schedules. In addition to the closure of the ports of Altamira and Tampico, the storm has also affected the operations of the Laredo border crossing, one of the busiest ports of entry between Mexico and the United States. This has resulted in significant delays in cross-border shipments, particularly for the automotive industry.
The storm has caused extensive damage to the power grid, leading to widespread power outages. This has further compounded the challenges faced by the manufacturing sector, as factories have had to halt production due to lack of power. Power companies are working round the clock to restore electricity, but it is expected to take several days before power is fully restored.
The Mexican government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas and is working closely with local authorities and relief agencies to provide assistance to those affected by the storm. Efforts are currently underway to clear the roads of debris and repair damaged infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of resilience. Companies are working together to find alternative routes and modes of transportation to keep goods moving. Some manufacturers are also exploring the possibility of temporarily shifting production to other facilities not affected by the storm.
In the wake of Hurricane Alberto’s landfall, a new storm, Hurricane Beryl, emerged. Forming just a few days post-Alberto, Beryl has rapidly intensified, becoming one of the most formidable storms in decades. At the time of this report, the devastating hurricane has already taken a toll of at least four lives in the southeast Caribbean.
The storm’s intensity makes it one of the most severe hurricanes to hit the island since 2004’s Hurricane Ivan, a Category 5 storm that severely affected Jamaica’s southern region. Beryl, which has oscillated between Category 5 and 4, is projected to follow a path similar to Alberto’s, heading towards the Gulf. As it approaches land, Beryl is expected to downgrade to a Category 1 hurricane however, its projected path could lead it to impact the northeastern coast of Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley, marking Beryl as a significant event in this hurricane season heavily affecting the supply chain.
Given the recent developments, it’s crucial to plan ahead for all operations related to the supply chain, including transportation. TradeFlex has established an office in El Paso. This strategic move allows us to bypass the storm’s trajectory. For more details, we encourage you to explore our website, trade-flex.com, or reach out to us to arrange a meeting or discuss emergency plans. Our El Paso team, known for their dedication to excellence, is a source of immense pride for us. These committed professionals are leading the way, offering extensive Customs, Warehouse, and Freight Forwarding services to the vibrant El Paso/Cd. Juarez metroplex. During the storm, the El Paso team will be on hand to ensure that our services continue without interruption. With multiple locations along the southern border, TradeFlex keeps the factories rolling even through Hurricanes.
