| Brazil's ports are grappling with escalating cargo volumes and constrained capacity, resulting in shipment delays and increased costs for shipping entities and traders.
Key issues include extended docking wait times exceeding five days, high customs clearance costs and times compared to OECD averages, and delays in implementing technological advancements in port processes. Collaborative efforts between government and industry are underway to tackle these challenges, including privatization, infrastructure upgrades, and the adoption of new technologies.
The Port of Navegantes, in particular, is undergoing dock renovations to accommodate larger vessels, a process that began last year and has affected shipping operations in the southern region of Brazil. To mitigate vessel backlogs and increased container congestion due to reduced docking capacity, several shipping carriers have diverted their services from Navegantes to nearby ports such as Itapoa and Imbituba.
However, this redirection has strained the capacity of Itapoa port, causing overcrowding and delays in container handling. As a consequence, cargo transfers to later vessels have become common, leading to delays and challenges for exporters across Brazil.
Despite these circumstances, stakeholders are working tirelessly to support shippers and manage shipments as efficiently as possible in the face of these unforeseen challenges.
Mariana Yoshioka, director of innovation and technology at Hidrovias do Brasil, emphasized the potential for collaboration and innovation to address these challenges, promoting economic and social development in Brazil's maritime sector. |
