As of December 15, the X-ray module began operating in the Guatemalan maritime terminal, which will serve to inspect, in a non-intrusive manner, the contents of the containers that are used to import and export goods.
The regulations that will apply for these non-intrusive verifications were published in the Diario de Centro America. The implementation of this system is an indispensable requirement for the certification of ports by the Coast Guard in national security issues and by the tax collector.
In Costa Rica, exporters insist that rates be renegotiated at the Moin Container Terminal, since currently the cost of moving a container at that terminal exceeds by about $207 what was paid at the Japdeva docks.
The Canal Authority has clarified there is no open tender for the concession of a container port in Corozal Oeste, and states that it will continue with evaluations in order to present new terms and conditions to develop the project.
The Panama Canal has clarified that it does not have any tender in process, nor does it intend to receive proposals within the next few weeks for the concession of a port in Corozal Oeste, at the entrance to the interoceanic highway in the Pacific.
The operator of the port of Limón in Costa Rica, is seeking to diversify its business focusing on conventional cargo handling, in order to compensate for the losses it will face when APM Terminals 's container port comes into operation.
Serving as port of departure for more Nicaraguan exporters and transporting more iron and vehicles are two of the objectives that make up the strategy envisioned by Japdeva, the concessionaire of the port of Moín, in Limón, which they intend to follow over the next few years.
In 2016, 281 million TEUS were mobilized, 10% more than in 2015, and the shipping companies Great White Fleet Ltd and Dole Ocean Cargo Express transported most of the cargo.
From Agexport's "Logistic Monitor" newsletter:
Using information downloaded from the PIERS platform, an analysis was carried out of cargo container movement from Guatemala to the United States.The data indicates that in 2016 a total of 281,010 TEUs were transported, 10% more than in 2015.93.7% of exports entered through one of the 15 main destination ports whose respective growth is detailed below.
The decree that reduces the timeframe for foreign cargo transport in the country, from 6 to 3 months, could lead to an increase in logistics costs for exporters and importers.
The decree by the government that aimed to eliminate the unfair competition that Costa Rican carriers say was caused by permitting six month stays for transportation trucks from neighboring countries could solve the problem, but could come very close to causing others for the logistics and foreign trade sector.
Between January and October 2016, the movement of 5.1 million containers, measured in TEUs, was recorded, 11.8% less than in the same period in 2015.
In units, 3.1 million containers were moved through Panamanian ports in the first ten months of 2016, 11% less than in the same period in 2015.
According to a report by the Port Maritime Authority, container shipments were reduced in all ports in the National Port System, consisting of Manzanillo International Terminal, Panama Port Balboa, Panama Port Cristobal, Panama International Terminal, Colon Container Terminal and Bocas Fruit.
The regulations in force for Central America allow two methods of certifying the weight of cargo moving through ports in the region.
The new regulations in force since July 1 oblige entities transporting containerized cargo by sea tocertify its weight under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas). The problem cited by exporters is the increase this will have on costs, in addition to infrastructure problems faced in some ports in the region.
Eleven legal processes are hindering progress of the project that could increase the capacity of container movement in the Panamanian port system.
Panama could already have a container terminal operating on the Pacific side, but opposition from the Panama Ports Company (PPC) and others such as residents of surrounding areas has impeded progress of the project which the Panama Canal Authority has been promoting since 2014.
The movement of bulk cargo in the port system of Panama in the first half of the year fell by 21% compared to the same period in 2015.
Between January and June the transport of containerized cargo fell by 15% compared to the same period in 2015, according to figures from the Office of the Comptroller General of Colombia.In the case of general cargo, there was an increase of 13% compared to the same period in 2015.
Four operators moved about half of the maritime cargo that passed through Guatemalan ports in 2015.
In 2015 maritime cargo moved through port terminals in Guatemala amounted to 26.1 million metric tons (MT).Everseas de Guatemala S.A. transported around 17%, followed by Compañía Guatemalteca de Terminales a Granel S.A. with 16%, and thirdly, Centrans International, with 14%.
Reports in Nicaragua indicate that only five companies managed to obtain the certificate which will be needed from July 1st to export by sea.
The Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP warned that a week before the rule takes effect, only five exporting companies have carried out the procedures needed to certify the weight of marine cargo when the rule goes into effect.
I Panama companies warn that container traffic will drop if the implementation of the new tariffs for food import inspections are not stopped.
The Business Council Logistics (Coel) is concerned that if the new tariffs do come into force of on July 3, "... the window will open for other state institutions to suggest similar increases, putting at risk the second most important sector of the Panamanian economy after the Panama Canal. "
In Costa Rica the exporter's union has stated that complying with the new regulations of weighing containers will raise costs and affect their already deteriorating competitiveness.
The new rules for certifying the weight of maritime cargo to be adhered to under the SOLAS convention will come into effect on July 1, 2016, and Costa Rican exporters are already raising their voices to denounce the impact it will have on their cost structure.
In Costa Rica, exporters must report the weight of each container 24 hours before the shipment of goods, by means of a declaration.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) has announced that the draft regulations which will govern the verification system for the weight of containers leaving the country by sea, are now ready. Still pending is the signing of the executive decree which will validate it so that it will come into effect.