Flooding disrupts logistics for Colombia’s industries

08 December 2010 21:18  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--Flooding continued to disrupt logistics for all industries in Colombia including petrochemicals, local market participants said on Wednesday.

Flooding caused by intense rainfall blocked the transportation of raw materials and finished goods, and caused emergencies in 28 of Colombia’s 32 states.

The Ministry of Transportation’s crisis office reported 35 blocked roads and 99 roads with restricted passage in 15 states, according to the local news media.

Caldas was been the most affected state, with nine road closures and 26 restricted roadways.

Government agencies were dealing with the flooding of the Magdalena River and road emergencies around the country.

Flooding caused the shutdown last week of the Mexichem Resinas Colombia polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant in Cartagena.

The plant flooded when rains “of biblical proportions” caused a nearby creek to overflow, sources said.

Rains that usually fall in the course of a month in Colombia have fallen in days, sources said.

The plant was already under a force majeure (FM) declaration as a result of similar flooding that occurred in November.

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By: Ron Coifman
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