Marítime and Logistics Bulletin # 66

The containers throughput in ports of Latin America and the Caribbean Sea increased 6,7 % during the first quarter of 2017. The figures reveal a change to growth rates on two digits for a big number of ports of containers in the region. The increase of the port movement of containers reverse the fall observed in the throughput in 2016 (-0,9 %). 

The growth in the first quarter 2017 was determined principally by the increase in the activity of eight countries: Nicaragua (22,1 %), Panama (12.6 %), Mexico (10,0 %), Chile (10,0 %), Peru (8,2 %), Dominican Republic (38,8 %), Guatemala (6,9 %) and Honduras (7,7 %). This growth was attenuated by falls observed in two countries of the region those that contributed reductions to the total throughput : -4,7% Colombia and -6,1% Ecuador[1]. Nevertheless, other countries also showed positive growth rates although more limited: Brazil (1,4%), Costa Rica (1,2%), Uruguay (2,7%) and El Salvador (1,0%). ports of Dominican Republic, Brazil, Guatemala, Panama, Chile, Peru and Mexico were those who showed major growth rates in the region: Caucedo (54%), Haina (18%), Suape (31%), Puerto Barrios (29,5%), Colon (26,4%), Valparaiso (21,9%), Paita (18,2%), Callao (7,3%), Veracruz (13,5%), Manzanillo (10,3%) and Altamira (9,9 %). The biggest falls in volume of activity was suffered the ports of Guayaquil -6,1% (Ecuador), Buenos Aires -9,1% (Argentina), Paranagua -7,3% (Brazil) and Buenaventura -18,5% (Colombia).

[1] Include Guayaquil port.