The collapse of the Baltimore bridge could congest other ports in the United States to which exports from Ecuador also arrive.
Front part of the Dali cargo ship with demolished sections of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, March 29, 2024.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States, has caused concern in the Ecuadorian export sector due to the impact it may have on efficiency in the transportation of goods.
“Although Baltimore is not listed as one of the main destination ports for Ecuador’s exports, approximately 0.4% of the cargo leaving the country for the United States passes through this port, which is equivalent to 7,600 tons annually,” according to estimates. of the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor).
Shrimp, wood panels, fishery products, and canned fruits and vegetables are among the top four products landed at the Port of Baltimore in 2023.
Fedexpor recognizes that the direct impact on Ecuadorian exports is limited but believes that there is a possibility that the logistics of certain products will be affected indirectly.
The above is due to congestion in other ports with greater importance for Ecuadorian exports that replace Baltimore, which “would lead to delays in the delivery of goods and a possible increase in costs.”
Drought in the Panama Canal
Simultaneously, the drought in the Panama Canal has caused a 31% increase in transportation costs for imports from the United States, explains the export union.
“This increase is attributed to the logistical complications derived from the shortage of water in the canal, which hinders the smooth transit of goods and, as a result, makes transportation more expensive,” adds Fedexpor, in a statement.
Added to this logistical context is the poor export performance recorded in January 2024, where income from non-oil, non-mining exports fell 4% compared to January 2023, says the union.
