Containerized cargo movement in Latin American and Caribbean ports increased by around 6,1% during 2017, according to data released on Tuesday (28.5.2018) by ECLAC. This average percentage indicates a recovery compared to the figures recorded in the last three years, when low or negative growth rates were observed in container movement at the regional level.
According to the ranking issued by the organization, on the one hand, the signs of improvement in foreign trade in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2017 are confirmed and, on the other, the heterogeneity of the growth rates of this activity in the ports of the region is repeated.
As in previous editions of the ranking, the data collected by ECLAC show great heterogeneity in the behaviour of port movements, both at the subregional level and by country.
South America
East Cost
In 2017, the East Coast of South America (CEAS) recorded a increase of container terminal activity (5,3%), measured by the volume operated, which offset the fall recorded in 2016 (-2,8%), thanks to what happened, in relative terms, in the ports of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
West Coast
Meanwhile, the West Coast (COAS) continues in upward progression as activity increased again (6,4%), exceeding the pace of the previous year (3,7%), due to the positive evolution of the port terminals in Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia.
Central America
For its part, on both coasts of Central America (including Mexico), East Coast (CEAC) and West Coast (COAC), the container traffic operated had a positive growth (in the CEAC by 12,6% and in the COAC by 4,8%) which reversed what happened in 2016 (with falls of -1,2% and -1,3%, respectively). In the CEAC, the highest level of activity in the ports of Panama, Mexico and Honduras stands out.
Caribbean and North Coast of South America
Finally, in the Caribbean and the North Coast of South America (CNAS) the movement of containers in port terminals was dissimilar. On the one hand, in the Caribbean it fell again (-1,1%; in 2016 it had decreased by -2,5%), and, on the other hand, in the CNAS there was a significant improvement compared to what happened in 2016 (11,4%; compared to just 0,4% in 2016). In the Caribbean, the increase in container traffic in the ports of the Dominican Republic, Grenada and, to a lesser extent, Antigua and Barbuda and Martinique stands out, while in the CNAS the ports of Colombia and Suriname stand out.
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