Two new ports have been added to the key shipping routes along the east coast of South America
According to Maersk's latest shipping report, the Latin American port system is currently exhibiting a diversified pattern: Brazil is facing significant operational pressures, while other ports in the region are performing relatively stably. The company reports severe congestion at major ports on the East Coast of South America (ECSA), and confirms that it will adjust its route services to maintain network reliability.
According to the shipping company, "Brazilian ports are still operating under high pressure, with high terminal occupancy rates, long queues, and extended waiting times for vessels without berths." This situation has a particularly severe impact on key terminals such as Santos, Paranagua, Itapua, and Rio Grande.
Maersk also warned that weather conditions could cause operational disruptions, but vessels with allocated berthing slots would still be given priority.
Against this backdrop, the company announced a series of adjustments to its ECSA route service. On the "Tango" route, the docking service at the Port of Norfolk has been temporarily suspended for an extended period, and cargo will be transshipped through the Port of Cartagena. Meanwhile, Maersk confirmed the resumption of weekly docking services in Rio de Janeiro.
Another significant adjustment is the new route of the ECSA liner service, which will operate on a bi-weekly basis from November, connecting Paranagua, Santos (DP World), and Manzanillo (Panama).
According to the shipping company, "this configuration enhances connectivity with the Caribbean, the United States, and the west coast of South America, providing greater flexibility for regional and intercontinental transportation." Currently, optimizing the route network is crucial to mitigate operational impacts.
Maersk also announced that the "UCLA" and "Tango" routes will be delayed by one week due to current market conditions. On the "UCLA" route, the "Laust Maersk" will take over the southbound segment to Santos originally scheduled for the "Maersk Rubicon", resulting in a one-week delay in the subsequent vessel schedules.
A similar situation has arisen on the "Tango" route, where the "Maersk Monte Alegre" will replace the "RDO Fortune" to execute the southbound route, resulting in corresponding adjustments to the berthing schedule.