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: Designing Resilient Supply Chains for a Disruptive World
In Latin America, supply chains face unique challenges ranging from natural disasters and infrastructure limitations to regulatory changes and economic volatility. In this context, designing adaptive supply chains is more critical than ever. Adaptive supply chain design goes beyond traditional efficiency metrics; it emphasizes resilience, flexibility, and the ability to respond swiftly to disruptions. Companies that embrace this approach can maintain continuity, serve customers effectively, and even turn uncertainty into a competitive advantage, ensuring that their operations remain robust in a world where change is the only constant.
Multi-Sourcing Strategies
In the face of global disruptions, Latin American companies are increasingly adopting multi-sourcing strategies to enhance supply chain resilience. By diversifying their supplier base across multiple regions, businesses can mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on a single source, such as geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, or economic instability.
A recent report highlights that companies employing multi-hub sourcing strategies experience 25% fewer supply chain disruptions compared to those relying on a single region. This approach not only reduces dependency but also fosters access to a broader pool of ideas and innovations, which is crucial for maintaining competitive advantage in a rapidly changing market.
In Latin America, the trend of nearshoring, relocating production closer to home, is gaining momentum. Countries in Central America, and in Brazil are becoming attractive alternatives to traditional manufacturing hubs, offering benefits such as reduced transportation costs, cultural affinity, and time zone alignment with major markets.
However, implementing a multi-sourcing strategy in Latin America presents unique challenges. The region’s infrastructure varies significantly across countries, and navigating complex regulatory environments requires careful planning and local expertise. Despite these challenges, the benefits of a diversified supply chain, improved risk management, enhanced flexibility, and access to innovation, make multi-sourcing a critical component of adaptive supply chain design in Latin America.
For companies operating in or sourcing from Latin America, embracing multi-sourcing strategies is not merely a trend but a strategic necessity to build resilient and adaptable supply chains capable of thriving amid global uncertainties.
Decentralized Warehousing
Decentralized warehousing is a foundational strategy for building adaptive supply chains, particularly in Latin America, where infrastructure disparities, regulatory differences, and regional disruptions can pose significant challenges. Rather than consolidating inventory in a single central facility, companies distribute stock across multiple regional hubs. This approach reduces reliance on any one location, mitigates the risk of operational disruption, and increases the overall flexibility and responsiveness of the supply chain.
One of the key advantages of decentralized warehousing is improved delivery speed. By placing inventory closer to end customers, businesses can shorten lead times, reduce transportation costs, and respond more effectively to sudden spikes in demand. Research indicates that companies using regional distribution networks can cut transportation distances by up to 15–20%, which directly translates into cost savings and faster service (Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, 2023).
Decentralized warehouses also enhance risk management. Latin America is prone to natural events such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes that can temporarily disrupt logistics in specific areas. By maintaining multiple storage locations across different regions, companies can continue operations even when one facility is affected. Additionally, this geographic dispersion enables better adaptation to local regulatory and customs requirements, optimizing inventory flows according to market conditions.
Operational flexibility is another key benefit. Decentralized networks allow organizations to adjust inventory levels in specific locations based on local demand trends, seasonality, or emerging market opportunities.
For example, a surge in consumer demand in Brazil or Guatemala can be quickly addressed by reallocating stock from nearby regional hubs, reducing the risk of stockouts and improving customer satisfaction.
However, managing multiple warehouses introduces complexities. It requires robust IT systems for inventory tracking and sophisticated logistics planning to prevent inefficiencies, and it can increase costs related to staffing, real estate, and technology compared to a centralized model. Despite these challenges, the strategic advantages, improved resilience, faster response times, and the ability to tailor operations to regional markets make decentralized warehousing a cornerstone of adaptive supply chain design.
For companies operating across Latin America, adopting a decentralized warehousing strategy is not just a logistical choice but a strategic imperative. It enables supply chains to be more agile, responsive, and robust, capable of withstanding regional disruptions while maintaining high service levels and operational continuity. For more insights on warehousing and distribution in the region, see Maersk Latin America Warehousing & Distribution.
Dynamic Routing and Inventory Allocation: Powering Real-Time Responsiveness in Latin America
Dynamic routing and inventory allocation are essential for adaptive supply chains in Latin America, where traffic congestion, unpredictable weather, and shifting demand patterns challenge logistics daily.
Dynamic routing uses real-time data—traffic, delivery windows, or vehicle capacity, to constantly adjust delivery paths. Studies show that route optimization software can reduce delivery costs by up to 40% and improve operational efficiency by 20–25%. These improvements are particularly relevant in large urban hubs like Bogotá or São Paulo, where congestion is a major barrier to reliability.
Dynamic inventory allocation complements routing by positioning stock where it is most needed, reducing both shortages and excess. Companies using optimization engines have reported inventory reductions of up to 25% in one year while maintaining service continuity (IDC Manufacturing Insights, 2023).
Together, these strategies allow supply chains in Latin America to become faster, leaner, and more resilient, capable of adapting instantly to real-time conditions while keeping costs under control.
Agile Procurement Models
Agile procurement transforms traditional, process-heavy sourcing into a flexible, collaborative approach. It engages suppliers early, embraces change, and prioritizes tangible value over bureaucracy. This model empowers companies to swiftly adjust sourcing strategies in response to evolving market dynamics while fostering innovation through shared insights and supplier collaboration.
Agile procurement is more than a conceptual framework in Latin America, it’s increasingly becoming a practical necessity. According to the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), flexible contracting frameworks across countries have enabled procurement teams to adapt more quickly to fluctuations in demand and supplier availability. These public-sector innovations are beginning to influence private-sector practices as well.
Moreover, nearshoring and regional sourcing initiatives are driving resilience across the Americas. Supply chain executives report that strategies such as relocating operations closer to home markets are increasing the need for agile procurement capabilities to manage diversified supplier networks and changing risk profiles.
Technological enablers also play a pivotal role. Across Latin America, companies are increasingly investing in cloud-based tools, real-time dashboards, and predictive analytics to gain end-to-end visibility over procurement processes. Firms leveraging such digital tools report cost savings and faster risk mitigation.
Taken together, these illustrate why agile procurement is especially relevant in a region marked by infrastructure diversity, regulatory complexities, and shifting market demands. By adopting flexible contracts, nearshoring strategies, and modern technology, Latin American companies can craft procurement systems that are not only efficient but also highly responsive and resilient—capable of thriving amid volatility while delivering sustained value.
In today’s world of constant disruption, supply chain resilience has become a strategic imperative, especially in Latin America, where geographic, regulatory, and infrastructural diversity create both risks and opportunities. The strategies explored in this article, multi-sourcing, decentralized warehousing, dynamic routing, and agile procurement, demonstrate how companies can move beyond efficiency to build systems designed for adaptability.
By diversifying suppliers, distributing inventory, leveraging real-time technologies, and adopting flexible procurement models, businesses operating in the region can not only withstand disruptions but also turn uncertainty into a competitive advantage. Adaptive supply chains are no longer just about surviving; they are about thriving in complexity and uncertainty.
Those who embrace adaptability as a core principle will define the future of logistics in Latin America. To explore further insights on building resilient supply chains in the region, visit The Way Forward for Latin American Supply Chains.
Ocean Updates
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Schedule reliability remains strong for both UCLA and TANGO services. We will continue offering the Norfolk market on the TP-12 service via Cartagena. The transit time to Santos is 25 days. As we enter the low water season in Manaus, we’re closely monitoring river conditions in the Amazon region. You can count on us to keep you updated through timely advisories if any changes arise. Starting with Maersk Monte Linzor 529B, we’ll be resuming the weekly Rio Grande call on the TANGO service.
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Tango extended Norfolk suspension (being attended via transshipment in Cartagena) and Rio de Janeiro biweekly call until further notice. ECSA Shuttle new rotation to be Paranagua – Santos (DP World) – Manzanillo (Panama) to attend Caribbean, US, and South America West Coast connections in a bi-weekly basis.
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Main port status
CAC: Actions are being taken to mitigate yard levels and its impacts in cargo flow, Manzanillo MX is the terminal that is experiencing some difficulties.
ECSA: Terminal line up, gate, and yard running under healthy levels, although with some restrictions for vessels late or over in moves. Vessels out of window may face 1 to 3 days of waiting time.
WCSA: Some terminals are experiencing difficulties due to heavy rains. This weather is typical for the season. Operations continue as conditions allow.
Port status
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4 – 7 days |
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Acajutla, San Lorenzo, Caucedo, Puerto Barrios, Sto Tomas de Castilla, Puerto Cortes, Santos 01, Santos BTP, Paranagua, Itapoá, Rio de Janeiro, Bahia Blanca, Angel Lopez, Jose Luis Beitia
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Landside updates
Central America, Andina and the Caribbean Sea Area
Nicaragua / Honduras: Starting August 4, 2025, the Export Appointment System (Appt Export) is required at the OPC Terminal in Puerto Cortés, Honduras, for both local exports and international transit exports originating in Nicaragua. To keep your operations running smoothly, we recommend planning loading windows in advance, coordinating pre-notifications with your logistics providers, and keeping in mind that appointment changes are only allowed up to two hours before the scheduled entry. These measures will help you avoid delays, surcharges, and ensure a more predictable logistics flow.
Highlights
Resilience: The way forward for Latin American supply chains
Discover how we bring together resources to help you navigate today’s supply chain challenges. If you couldn’t join the live session, you can now watch the full recording of our recent Course for Change webinar [here]. Don’t miss the opportunity to revisit key discussions and gain valuable insights from our experts. Deepen your understanding of resilience by downloading our eBook Beyond Basics: Elevating Supply Chain Resilience in Latin America, a practical guide to strengthening your supply chain strategies.
Read more
Maersk launches Integrated Packing and Cold Storage Hub to boost Peru’s fruit exports
Maersk officially launched its new packing and cold chain logistics center in Olmos, Peru, a strategic move to support the country’s booming agro-export sector. As Peru’s fresh fruit exports continue to rise driven by global demand the new facility is designed to deliver speed and freshness from farm to port.
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Maersk Opens Panama Pacifico Logistics Centre as a Gateway to Latin America
Maersk opened its new logistics facility in Panama Pacifico, leveraging Panama’s role as a global gateway for Latin America markets. Located within a Special Economic Zone in the Pacific side of Panama, the facility spans more than 20,000 square meters and is purpose-built to serve as a centralized distribution hub for companies operating across Latin America, North America, and Asia. The facility enables businesses to consolidate inventory, streamline regional distribution, and accelerate time-to-market from a single, highly connected location.
Read more
Learn more from the global Maersk team
Learn what’s happening in our regions by reading our Market Updates by region.
Europe
North America
Asia Pacific
Be sure to visit our “Insights” pages where we explore the latest trends in supply chain digitalisation, sustainability, growth, resilience, and integrated logistics.