Hurricane Debby Halts Traffic at Southeast US Ports

Hurricane Debby Disrupts Southeastern US Ports

Hurricane Debby, a Category 1 storm, has caused major disruptions along the southeastern coast of the United States, resulting in the closure of key ports and a complete halt to vessel traffic. The storm made landfall earlier today in northern Florida, bringing with it strong winds and heavy rain.

Port Closures in Florida

In Florida, Seaport Manatee and Port Tampa Bay were the first to suspend operations. On August 3, Seaport Manatee issued a port condition Zulu, a severe alert indicating that gale-force winds are expected within 12 hours, leading to the suspension of all port activities. Port Tampa Bay also closed its shipping lanes the same day, effectively halting maritime operations in the region.

Impact on Fertilizer Industry

These port closures are particularly significant given their role in exporting key agricultural products. From January to May this year, combined exports of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) from Port Tampa Bay reached 245,000 metric tonnes, accounting for nearly 91% of the year-to-date offshore export volumes, according to data from the US Census Bureau. These ports are critical hubs for the fertilizer industry, with central Florida housing nearly two-thirds of the United States’ ammonium phosphate production capacity, primarily operated by Mosaic, as reported by The Fertilizer Institute (TFI).

Savannah Port Shutdown

Further north, the Port of Savannah in Georgia has also shut down in anticipation of the storm. The Georgia Ports Authority reported that the port ceased operations at 3:00 PM ET today and will remain closed through Tuesday, with plans to reopen on Wednesday. During this period, no vessel activity will be allowed, further disrupting maritime operations along the southeastern seaboard.

Economic Impact

As Hurricane Debby continues on its path, the economic impact of these closures is expected to be substantial, especially for industries reliant on these ports for the export and import of goods.