Operators warn that political unrest is causing shipment delays
Shipments to Bahrain are expected to be hit by delays because of continuing political protest in the country.
Bahrain has become the latest political reform and regime change battleground in the North Africa/Middle East region.
Its ruling royal family is seeking help from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and has declared martial law.
The UN’s human rights chief recently condemned the “shocking” use of force by security forces against protesters in Bahrain.
The protesters, mostly from the majority Shia population, said the violence would not deter them from challenging Bahrain’s Sunni rulers.
But it appears the protests and subsequent battles are starting to impact logistics operations.
Logistics operator Move One advised its clients the protests were causing delays to shipments going via Bahrain, with “significant” delays to shipments passing through the port.
It said: “Clashes between government forces and anti-regime protesters have affected shipment times due to low attendance by port workers.
“A national state of emergency has been declared after month-long protests turned violent last week when demonstrators attacked the financial and banking districts of the capital.
“At the time of writing, the Bahrain port remains open, but processing times are very slow.
“Roadblocks set up by both security forces and protesters in Central Manama, Pearl Square and the diplomatic quarter have closed vital road routes and have further slowed shipping times.”
APM Terminals (APMT), which manages the Khalifa Bin Salman Port, said the facility “was open as usual although operations had been affected by staff shortages”.
Iain Rawlinson, Chief Commercial officer for APMT Bahrain, said: “Vessels continue to call and we continue to work them.
“We are co-ordinating directly with carriers calling at Bahrain to ensure that they are kept aware of the situation on a regular basis. Traffic volumes have remained unaffected to date.”
Reports estimate that around 20% of Bahrain’s workforce are still attending their jobs, and those offices that remain open have now adopted a policy of closing early to allow employees to reach home before dark.
Damian Brett | Fri, 18 Mar 2011, IFW News