Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 6

8 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 6 Post-storm checklists help assess potential damage, alert local, state, and federal authorities of damage, and resume operations – or help find service alternatives. “Many terminals are located along coastlines, both in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic Coast, where hurricanes are prevalent,” Clay noted. “Our members work with our maritime partners to not only secure marine terminal operations, but to ensure the safety of maritime workers.” NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, forecasted a 60 percent chance of a more active than normal Atlantic hurricane season in 2021, a 30 percent chance of a near-normal season, and only a 10 percent chance of a below-normal season. The center predicted a likely range of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which six to ten could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including three to five major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5, with winds of 111 mph or higher). It’s important to note that NOAA in April announced it would use new, higher numbers for an “average” hurricane season as part of a once-a-decade realignment. An “average” Atlantic hurricane season now is 14 named storms and seven hurricanes. The average for major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5) remains unchanged at three. The previous Atlantic storm averages, based on the period from 1981 to 2010, were 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. The previous 30-year period used storms from 1981 to 2010. *Founded in 1974, the International Liquid Terminals Association represents more than 85 companies operating liquid terminals in all 50 states and in over 40 countries. Our members’ facilities provide critical links between all modes of transportation for liquid commodities, such as crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, renewable fuels, fertilizer, vegetable oils and other food-grade materials that are central to the U.S. economy. Terminals provide essential logistics services that spur trade both within the United States and connect the U.S. economy with overseas markets. ILTA’s membership also includes about 400 companies that supply equipment and services to the terminal industry. Our members work with our maritime partners to not only secure marine terminal operations, but to ensure the safety of maritime workers