Logistical challenges of Ecuador's foreign trade with the United States

According to the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor), there are currently two events that represent important challenges for the logistics of Ecuador's foreign trade to the United States. The first is the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, and the second is problems related to the drought in the Panama Canal.

 

Although Baltimore is not listed as one of the main destination ports for Ecuadorian exports to the United States, approximately 0.4% of exported cargo, equivalent to 7,600 tons per year, passes through this port. Among the main products shipped to Baltimore are shrimp, wood panels, fish products and canned fruits and vegetables, which are crucial to Ecuador's economy.

 

Fedexpor has expressed its concern about the indirect impact that the collapse of the bridge could have on the logistics of these products, due to the possible congestion in other ports of greater importance for Ecuadorian exports. This could cause delays in the delivery of goods and an increase in transportation costs.

 

On the other hand, the drought in the Panama Canal has caused a 31% increase in transportation costs for imports from the United States. The shortage of water in the canal has limited the number of vessels that can pass through daily, reducing it from 40 to approximately 24 ships. According to local media, this situation is expected to persist through 2024, requiring several months to resolve.

 

These logistical challenges are in addition to a poor export performance recorded in January 2024, where revenues from non-oil and non-mining exports were 4% lower compared to the same period of the previous year. Fedexpor is closely following the evolution of these logistical challenges, which could impact the performance of the Ecuadorian export sector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

fuente: expreso.ec