In early January freight movement in some parts of America slowed to a standstill as the effect of the so called ‘Polar Vortex’ has been felt in areas unused to such extreme conditions. Thousands of flights were cancelled and roads were impassable. The cold front swept in two waves across the country and has been held directly responsible for over twenty deaths so far.
Ocean shipping services and ports have been largely unaffected, but cargo has been unable to be delivered domestically due to the inability of freight forwarders to use the railways and roads, whereas many airports have even seen refuelling trucks unable to operate as nozzles froze up.
Apparently more dangerously cold weather is forecasted for later January.