As Latin America moves beyond the bustling peak season, Maersk has outlined key operational shifts across ocean, air, and inland services aimed at improving supply chain stability and responsiveness throughout the region.
The post-peak slowdown offers more than just a breather. According to Maersk, this window is being used to recalibrate services, audit operations, and reassess supplier performance. The company underscores how smart inventory and cash flow strategies—bolstered by automation—can shape better preparedness for the next demand surge.
Operational Adjustments at Sea
On the ocean side, multiple trade lanes are being tweaked. The Peru Feeder service has pulled out of Pisco, as the reefer season winds down, now pivoting towards Buenaventura, Colombia. New services—America Shuttle 1 and 2—will begin connecting Cartagena directly with U.S. ports including Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, and New Orleans. These additions aim to smooth North-South flows and reduce lead times.
The Atacama service is also adjusting, now including San Antonio, Chile, in its northbound route to support reefer exports to Port Hueneme and Long Beach, tightening transit time to just four days. Meanwhile, ongoing issues in Norfolk have pushed cargo rerouting via Cartagena, while Brazex reintroduces regular calls in El Salvador.
Inland and Port Situations Remain Mixed
Port conditions in East Coast South America remain mostly stable, though late or high-move vessels face wait times of up to three days. Inland, Central America continues to suffer from terminal congestion and slow truck fleet turnaround—an issue lingering since mid-2024. The bottlenecks in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua are now prompting more rigorous transport planning to avoid delivery delays.
Air Cargo Sees Rising Demand, Limited Capacity
Air freight remains tight across Central America and the Caribbean, driven by rising e-commerce and tourism-related imports. While Panama maintains strong import demand and hub status, export routes to the U.S. and Europe face constraints during peak periods.
In Colombia, flower and fresh produce exports are fueling sustained air cargo demand, but airport limitations are beginning to bite. Over in Peru, the opening of Lima Airport’s new terminal on March 30 is anticipated to reduce wait times. However, the longer internal distances between aircraft and warehouse zones may impact transfer efficiency initially.
Strengthening Business Fundamentals
Beyond transport, the focus for businesses lies in optimizing internal systems. Inventory audits and smart stock strategies—like clearance sales—are being promoted to reduce warehouse congestion. Leveraging integrated software helps provide a live snapshot of sales, returns, and cash flow, helping businesses navigate off-peak months more smoothly.
Customer loyalty is another priority. Maersk emphasizes how personalized outreach — can turn one-time buyers into long-term clients. Using CRM tools to track engagement and trends is proving critical to customer satisfaction and retention.
