As part of our commitment to provide you with the most up-to-date and relevant information on the logistics industry, we share our Market Update on the Latin American market.

You will find information and interesting data on the update of the state of the ports, the most important transport routes and relevant news.

We hope you'll find the following information helpful, as well as inspiring to boost your business and keep your cargo moving.

Topic of the month

warehouse

Warehousing after the Pandemic

During this topic of the month, we will be covering one of the critical products in every supply chain, Warehousing and Distribution (WnD).  According to Cushman & Wakefield’s Q3 Marketbeat report, the vacancy rate in the US industrial segment is around 3.2%. While, in Latin America, according to Newmark, the average vacancy rate in 2022 2H is below 6% in the region.  In Mexico City, around 4.9%, and in São Paulo, 12.1%. And in places like Santiago and Tijuana, below 1%.

Much has been said about how heathen the global demand for warehousing is. Many companies are facing a lack of space availability in a scenario of high inventory levels and an increasing need to support new purchasing habits and consumption patterns from post-pandemic customers. In addition to that, we see an ever-increasing demand for more sustainable facilities.

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WnD and Sustainability:

"As you read in last month’s Sealand Update, sustainability in logistics has become something important not only for the industry but also something that customers request from their providers.

Warehousing and Distribution have kept up with the new green era, seeking sustainable ways to do different activities. At Sealand along with all our operations have sought to be renewable in our warehouses.

Sustainable warehousing seeks to have a low environmental impact by using different strategies and techniques to minimize the production of waste, water, and energy consumption. Using rational use of supplies and reducing the carbon footprint generated by logistics operations is part of green logistics.

Here are some practices that Sealand is taking into account and applying to our warehousing and distribution facilities:

  • Energy efficient
    The idea is to take advantage of natural light and use efficient energy lighting by using skylights, solar panels, and sensors. There are other actions by using energy management systems to reduce the use of power and when power is being used, be more effective.  This includes hibernating the machines and tools or putting their operation in pause, while they are not used.
  • Automation and connected systems
    As we shared with you on our topic of the month of september, digitalization in logistics is now a trend and stakeholders are adopting automated storage systems to be more agile in the changing world.  Adding up that with digitalization the warehouses tend to be more sustainable since automatic handling equipment emits fewer polluting gases, another example is the lights for operation with LED technology, solar panels, and automatic lights are some actions to reduce carbon footprint.
  • Climate control
    Sustainable climate control is related mostly to cold storage and freezer rooms. A lot of warehouses are seeking new ways to reduce energy consumption by paying more attention to the structure of the facility using insulating materials so that the cold air stays inside, so they minimize their energy use.
  • High-density storage systems
    Compact storage systems contribute towards sustainable warehousing by leveraging the available surface area to house a larger number of products. This also helps to make better use of space on racks.
  • 3 Rs
    Reduce, reuse, and recycle, taking into account that as we shared in our topic of the month of November, logistics activities generate a lot of waste. In sustainable warehouses, recycling different types of packaging is increasingly common, therefore separating, recycling, and reusing can help minimize the environmental footprint in logistics.
  • Location
    Bring warehouses closer to the customers so there is less need for transportation, as a result, there is less pollution which helps towards more sustainable logistics. Having warehouses close to freeways, ports, highways, railways, and airports are now key to being agile and contributes to greener logistics.
  • Maintenance
    Preventive maintenance reduces possible breakdowns and helps taking quick decisions in the event of machine failure and can help to make the warehouse sustainable. A study from MarketsAndMarkets consulting firm states that preventive maintenance will grow by more than 25% from 2020 to 2025. The report shows that adopting technology such as artificial intelligence and devices can provide real- and on-time information on the warehouse. Preventive maintenance helps anticipate preventing malfunctions and improve safety on logistics facilities.
  • Layout
    Having an efficient layout and optimizing storage space is essential for maximizing operations and movements. Digitalized warehouse software, crossing and analyzing data can help maximize the performance of the facility.  With efficient processes, companies can provide good service with minimal environmental impact.

Some other features to consider in a sustainable warehouse are:

  • Sensors
  • Building materials
  • Fans
  • Roof
  • Landscaping and water usage"
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Trends in WnD market:

"Warehousing industry has become more digitalized, automatized and with smart devices and it’s the new trend in the market to have a more agile and optimized part of the supply chain.

Equipment such as artificial intelligence, LEAN management, the internet of things, and blockchain is now used in warehousing and distribution to automate repetitive tasks, eliminate labor-consuming duties, and improve safety.  All these actions make the implementation of automation more cost-effective, sustainable, and agile in a digitalized world.

The top warehouse management trends are:

  • Warehouse management systems
  • Warehouse automation
  • Inventory tracking
  • Warehouse security
  • Sustainable Warehousing
  • Fleet management

With these trends, warehousing has improved operational efficiency, and decision-making, prevent risks, and innovative solutions, and has more sustainable logistics. "

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The importance of partnering with a company that understands the market and will help you navigate in a new scenario.

"It is clear that headwinds are bouncing worldwide economies, and the demand for space will soften at some point as interest rates increase worldwide. One of the essential things to have in mind in a scenario like this is not whether you will find a facility for your business but how well-prepared your business is to navigate in this new scenario of uncertainty.

Having a lack of space in addition to a turbulent market scenario might be challenging; it`s relevant to partner with an expert that can provide the best solutions for your business and help you navigate the uncertainties and complexities of the post-pandemic world."

Ocean Updates

TRADE LANE COMMENTS DEMAND TREND
TRADE LANE
West Coast to Intra-Americas
COMMENTS
Space available in our network from Chile, Ecuador and Peru for dry and reefer cargo. There is restricted reefer equipment availability in PEPAI and OPS team is working to cover full demand, space is available on the Paita Feeder and second legs. 
DEMAND TREND
Medium
TRADE LANE
Intra-Americas to Caribbean (Pacific)
COMMENTS
Caldera Feeder with open space. WCCA2 will be restricted from Balboa Northbound due reefer peak season from WCSA. We will change some products to the WCCA service to release space on the WCCA2.
DEMAND TREND
Low
TRADE LANE
West Coast to North America
COMMENTS
WCCA2 service enhancement released to the market, we will provide weekly service to/from Los Angeles, CA pier 400 terminal. The first northbound sailing on the new WCCA2 service will be on the Maersk Northwood V.251 departing Balboa on Dec 23rd. 
DEMAND TREND
Medium
TRADE LANE
North America to East Coast of South America
COMMENTS
The situation in the Gulf service has been approved, therefore the calls in Cartagena, CO, and Cristobal, PA are back to weekly.  In order to cope with the market demand we have announced to blank sailings program for the month of January in the UCLA and TANGO services
DEMAND TREND
Medium
TRADE LANE
Intra-America to East Coast of South America
COMMENTS
The situation in the Gulf service has been approved, therefore the calls in Cartagena, CO, and Cristobal, PA are back to weekly. 
DEMAND TREND
Medium

Main port status - North America

PORT COMMENTS
PORT
Newark
COMMENTS
No major issues or delays.Port Closes 23/2359 to 26/0600
PORT
Philadelphia
COMMENTS
No major issues or delays.Port Closes 23/2359 to 26/0600
PORT
Baltimore
COMMENTS
No major issues or delays. Port Closes 24/1700 to 26/0700
PORT
North Charleston
COMMENTS

No major issues or delays. Due to the Christmas holiday terminal will be closed from Dec 24th (1700 stoppage Dec 24rd) and resume Dec 26th at 0700

Due to the New Years terminal will be closed as from Dec 31st (1700 stopped Dec 31st) and resume Jan 2nd at0700

PORT
Savannah
COMMENTS
No major issues or delays. Port Closes 24/1700 to 26/0700
PORT
Port Everglades
COMMENTS
No major issues or delays. Port Closes 24/1700 to 26/0700
PORT
Mobile
COMMENTS
No major issues or delays.
PORT
Houston
COMMENTS
1 to 4 days waiting time expected for berthing and labor. Labor restrictions in Houston are limiting the total number of gangs per shift to 16 during the week, with 12 on the weekend. This is allocated based on arrival time to Pilot Station and move count on the vessel. 
PORT
Long Beach-Los Angeles
COMMENTS
No major issues or delays. Christmas Closing hours 24th/1400-26th/0700. 
PORT
Oakland
COMMENTS
 The current waiting time to berth and get labor is up to 10 days. Cranes allocation is limited to 2 per vessel. The terminal continues to struggle with a labor shortage. Union Clerks are not filling jobs, Terminal is limiting gangs. Christmas Closing hours 24th/1400-26th/0700. Christmas Closing hours 24th/1400-26th/0700. 

Main port status - Latin America

PORT COMMENTS
PORT
Chile
COMMENTS
Swells continue to impact vessel arrivals and departures.
PORT
Puerto Quetzal, GT 
COMMENTS

Vessel Productivity: In progress, currently terminal is still working with 2 cranes, with 23 CMPH productivity on average.

Yard Utilization: Occupancy of the terminal is 90% general / 106% for importation areas.

Gates: there was an increase in transactions per gate, due to the demand for movements

System Restoration: Truck appointment system launch this week with import; This enhancement will help customers choose the best time to make their appointment and speed up the flow in the entry lanes. 

PORT
Balboa
COMMENTS
No major Issues or delays

Monthly Highlights

We were at the Global Floral and Produce Show 2022

Our cold chain experts are eager to meet you to understand your business’s personalized needs better. 

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