The evolution of maritime-port sector activities in Latin America and the Caribbean

Authors:

Gordon Wilmsmeier, Ricardo J. Sánchez, Ana Cristina Ocampo Wilches, Cristiam Gil, and Gustavo Martinez

Our Teams at Kühne Professorial Chair in Logistics - Universidad de los Andes, Universidad De Los Andes Facultad de Administracion, Colombia, and Center for Shipping and Global Logistics , Kuehne Logistics University have developed an innovative data visualization dashboard that provides relevant information on the evolution of maritime and port activity in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

This new tool visualizes key aspects of activity in the maritime and port sector in the region since 2019.

1. Draft of vessels arriving in LAC ports (tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, general cargo, Ro-Ro and other) and its comparison the max available draft in a port.
2. Quarterly ports calls by vessel type and size (container vessels.
3. status of implementation of emission reduction technologies on vessels (e.g. scrubbers) calling in the LAC region
4. Flag states of vessels calling at the region.
5. Relationship between container vessel size and design speed.
6. Capacity deployment container vessels by operator and vessel size.
7. Age structure of vessels calling in LAC.

Our dashboard allows you to benchmark these indicators for 18 countries across the region and different types of vessels. The user can evidence the evolution in the size and types of vessels arriving on LAC coasts and analyse the differences or similarities between. In two figures below we exemplify the differences in types of vessels calling on the East Coast of South America (ECSA) and in the Caribbean , highlighting the relevance of dry and liquid trade for the ECSA. The figures also reveal the relevant share of container vessels calling in Caribbean ports in comparison to other types of vessels.

What is the level of implementation of scrubbers to reduce air pollution on container vessels calling in the LAC region?

With the implementation of the IMO 2020 0.50% sulphur cap, retrofitting vessels with scrubber technology was one option. We can observe an increase of container vessels with scrubbers calling in LAC ports after 2020 (Figure below). Since 2022/23 the share of vessels with this technology has been constant and even slightly declining in 2024. Interestingly,we observe a comparative lower share of vessels with this technology in LAC considering that around 40% of the global container fleet has been outfitted with scrubber technology to reduce exhaust gas emissions according to Alphaliner in 2024.

Who are the container vessel operators deploying capacity in LAC? What has been the share of these operators in capacity supply?

The East and West Coast of South America reveal significant differences in who are the shipping lines offering capacities. By way of example ONE has established a capacity share on the WCSA it is absent on the ESCA. Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM have been expanding its capacity on both coasts during the last 5 years, while Maersk has actually reduced deployed capacity on the WCSA.

We can also observe significant differences in the evolution of vessel sizes across the different Latin American and Caribbean sub-regions. On the ECSA we can actually see a reemergence of intermediate vessels between 3-7999 TEU.

This new tool for public, private and academic actors interested in developments in the maritime port sector and complements traditional sources of information such as ECLAC′s Perfil Marítimo.

Do not hesitate to join this initiative! We invite you all to consult, use and share ideas and comments. Your comments are welcome at: [email protected].

The information presented on the dashboard comes from a rigorous combination of sources, including LSEG, Clarksons, Blue Water Reporting, and reports from local and national authorities.

Explore the Dashboard here: Visualization Dashboard of Maritime Transport in Latin America and the Caribbean

Gordon Wilmsmeier , Ricardo J Sanchez , Ana Cristina Ocampo Wilches , Cristiam Gil , Gustavo Martinez