Dear Valued Customer,
Though Hurricane Ian has been downgraded to a
Tropical Storm, large swaths of Florida have experienced heavy damage, flooding and power outages that will affect freight flows at least through the weekend and in some places longer. Impacts are also beginning to reach Georgia and South Carolina. Capacity supply constraints continue in and around the impacted areas and we are supporting emergency response needs. The people you rely on at C.H. Robinson will continue to provide the help you need to navigate disruptions to your supply chain.
TRUCKLOAD
Truckload capacity in Florida will continue to be tight through the duration of the storm and as recovery efforts get underway. Many carriers will be focused on bringing in items needed for clean-up and repairs and hauling necessities such as water. While other capacity is available, some freight may need to continue to be held because of power outages or impassable roads at destinations. As additional impacts spread throughout the Southeast, your C.H. Robinson team is here to support you with planning, alternative solutions and tracking your freight.
LESS THAN TRUCKLOAD (LTL)
Many LTL carriers continue to have limited to no service in Florida and will until impacts from Ian clear into this weekend. Expect delays on both pickups and deliveries for shipments within Florida. Operational changes in coastal areas of South Carolina are being made as of today. Delays can also be expected for shipments inbound to Florida and some inbound to South Carolina until normal operations resume. The C.H. Robinson LTL team is actively assessing shipment status across the LTL network at this time.
INTERMODAL
Like LTL, many rail carriers continue operational changes made for shipments inbound to Florida and delays are anticipated. Expect delays for any shipment into the impacted area to continue until further notice.
OCEAN
The Ports of
Tampa Bay and
Jacksonville remain closed until further notice. The Port of
Charleston remains open through the day today with plans to close beginning Friday, September 30. The Port of
Savannah will provide normal day operations today with truck gates closing at 6:00pm EST. There will be no night gates today in Savannah and any changes to operations for Friday remain pending. Any additional disruption at Savannah could exacerbate the existing backup of ships waiting to berth. Contact your C.H. Robinson team for the latest information on operational changes and possible delays. In cases of port closure, damage assessments will occur before ports reopen and operations resume.
STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT LINKS
Florida Disaster Website
Georgia Emergency Management
South Carolina Emergency Management
C.H. Robinson’s 24/7 emergency response team is actively monitoring all at-risk freight in and around the impacted areas using our
real-time visibility technology and the information advantage of our network. We will continue to provide updates through the duration and aftermath of the storm. Please stay connected with your C.H. Robinson commercial representative for further information.
Sincerely,
C.H. Robinson