On Thursday, July 27, the Single Union of Sea Workers and Related Workers of Uruguay (Suntma) informed the Center of River and Maritime Shipowners (Cafym) of Paraguay that it was willing to take measures against the transit operation of merchandise from that country in favor of Uruguayan workers in the crews.
That same day, a shipping company that handles Paraguayan cargo informed its clients that it was suspending operations that it had been carrying out until then in the port of Montevideo.
The union demands that barges with merchandise that travel from Nueva Palmira to Montevideo have Uruguayan crews.
The argument is that this transit is domestic cabotage, something that is rejected by Uruguayan and Guaraní port operators. But the port union maintains its position and with this argument, on Wednesday, August 2, it affected the operation of the Montevideo terminal.
Uruguayan port operators described the union's measure as "inappropriate" at a time when they are trying to encourage the arrival of Paraguayan cargo to local ports. For this reason, they maintained contacts with the National Port Administration (ANP) and the Ministry of Transport to provide assurance to their Guaraní counterparts.
Meanwhile, the shipping company Hapag-Lloyd has informed its customers that "from July 17, the shipping date, all cargoes with final destination Paraguay will be transshipped in the port of Buenos Aires instead of the port of Montevideo."
The letter added that "the port of Montevideo will continue to be maintained as an optional transshipment port, which may be used due to operational needs."
The measure applies to all merchandise imported by Paraguay that is transshipped in Montevideo and then shipped to its final destination.
Port sources said that Hapag-Lloyd is not a minor shipping company, although it is not the firm that handles the largest Paraguayan cargo in the port..
They added that maritime companies that move Guaraní cargo have transferred their concerns about some operational aspects to the ANP and the Suntma announcements weighed on Hapag-Lloyd's decision to withdraw import transits from Montevideo.
For his part, the director representing the National Party of the ANP, Juan Curbelo, said that the decision taken by the shipping company generates strong concern in the organization.
"The ANP Board of Directors has been taking measures to be more competitive with Paraguayan cargo," he said.
The official said that authorities, companies and unions must "first defend the national interest" and stressed the importance of Paraguayan cargo in the activity of the port of Montevideo.
In addition, Suntma is analyzing the implementation of measures at the Nueva Palmira terminal.
Source: The Observer
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