As the businessworld continues to face ever growing environmental issues, we ask Ritest

Kumar, Director, Procurement and Supply Chain Intelligence, The Smart Cube, what impact can

hurricanes have on the petrochemicals sector

“If we look at Hurricane Beryl, for instance.  This was originally a Category 5 storm, that weakened to a tropical storm – devastating Jamaica and the Caribbean.  On the 8th July 2024, the hurricane unexpectedly changed course, bearing down on the US Gulf Coast.  This shift in trajectory placed several major ports in Texas directly in its path, and impacted major ports – including Corpus Christi, Freeport and Galveston – in Texas, which serve as critical hubs for US petrochemical refineries and chemical complexes.”

“Texas is the largest US oil and gas producing state, accounting for some 40% of oil and 20% of gas output, and although some refineries only experienced brief power disruptions during the storm, operations at petrochemical factories and ports were suspended.”

“While the impacts to industry were not severe on this occasion, the unexpected nature of this hurricane emphasises the importance of preparedness in facing the challenges of an increasingly volatile hurricane season.  It also highlights the need for businesses to map out supplier reliance and identify alternative suppliers in different geographical regions wherever possible.  By diversifying their supply chains and continually keeping abreast of developments, procurement professionals can mitigate the disruption to their supply chain.”