One of the largest and most tragic stories we’ve been following this month is the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping. The Journal of Commerce has a very detailed infographic explaining the timeline of the crisis. We are sharing some recent links of people and places who are affected by the Hanjin situation.

I. Ports are seeing fewer ships as the global shipping industry threatens to sink. According to a report featuring Mobile, Alabama: “most recent statistics from United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) show a significant decrease in container ships calling into the port, going from 200 in 2014 to 156 in 2015. In all, the port dealt with around 3 million fewer tons over the same period, according to MARAD.”

II. There are currently 2,500 seafarers stranded on Hanjin vessels. The BBC has been chronicling the rescue mission to collect four cadets. A spokesman for the Nautilus seafarers union said: “Nautilus believes it is imperative that these cadets are allowed to return home at the earliest opportunity and that their ordeal is finally brought to an end.”

III. The Port of Oakland is helping prevent a supply chain crisis by receiving empty Hanjin vessels. Logistics Management explains just why this is so important, “The announcement means cargo owners and truckers won’t have to find storage space for the unwanted boxes after they’re emptied. It also means empties can be removed from chassis, freeing up the scarce equipment to transport new loads. Storage space is needed worldwide because Hanjin Shipping has said it won’t accept empty containers on its vessels.”

IV. One of the most unusual situations of people being stranded at sea because of the Hanjin bankruptcy involves an artist from England. Rebecca Moss is a British absurdist filmmaker and she was selected to participate in a program called “23 Days at Sea” which puts artists in residence on cargo ships. Moss seems to be taking the uncertainty of her time at sea in stride, and the director of 23 Days at Sea seems to be gloating saying, “The fact that Rebecca is in the middle of a global financial event is hair-raising but ultimately exceptional for her practice.”

Image Credit:Ingrid Taylar

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