Winter Storm Stella causes closures at U.S. ports

Ports along the mid-Atlantic coast all the way up to New England have been impacted by the winter storm, and have altered operations accordingly.    Winter Storm Stella is now wreaking havoc on the Northeastern United States after plowing through the Midwest on Sunday and Monday.
   Ports along the mid-Atlantic coast all the way up to New England have been impacted by the winter storm, and have altered operations accordingly.
   The Weather Channel reported Tuesday morning that sleet, rain and freezing rain is possible near the I-95 corridor from Boston to Washington D.C. during the day, before changing back to snow. Strong winds (gusts over 40 or 50 miles per hour) and the weight of the snow could result in some tree damage and power outages.
   Snow will continue throughout much of New England Tuesday night, and farther south, snow will become light overall, but gusty winds will continue, according to The Weather Channel.
   “On Wednesday, lighter snowfall and gusty winds will continue across the Northeast region, but the worst of the storm will be over,” The Weather Channel said.
   The Port of Virginia reopened at 8:40 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Corinne Zilnicki told American Shipper Tuesday morning.
   Meanwhile, Maryland Port Administration Director of Communications Richard Scher said Tuesday afternoon, “Port operations personnel are working 12-hour, around the clock shifts on snow removal. Conditions at our public marine terminals are a combination of snow, slush and ice but we have hit pavement in much of the port. The Port of Baltimore is open and we are handling ships. The emphasis is on our cargo terminals as we do not have a cruise ship until Saturday.”
   Port of Wilmington, Del. Marketing Director John Haroldson also told American Shipper Tuesday morning that it was sleeting, but the port is doing pretty well. He said the port is working on snow removal and has ships hired out for 1:00 p.m. EST.
  
   Meanwhile, the Port of Philadelphia issued a release that said the following will be closed Tuesday:
     • The Packer Avenue Marine Terminal;
     • The Tioga Marine Terminal (closed for trucks, loading rail cars);
     • Pier 84;
     • Pier 82;
     • The Transportation Security Administration (TWIC) office;
     • And the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority Administration Building.

   In addition, the Port of New York and New Jersey said all terminals will be closed on Tuesday.
   At the Port of Boston, “Conley will be closed on Tuesday due to the impending storm and it is likely there will be a delayed opening for the terminal on Wednesday,” Massachusetts Port Authority Media Relations Manager Kelly Smith said in an e-mailed statement to American Shipper Tuesday morning. “We will be offering extended gate hours on Thursday and Friday to help recovery from the storm.”