Americas

We've been managing capacity as best as possible given unprecedented circumstances to support our customers and keep their cargo moving. We encourage you to continue to communicate with our dedicated sales organization and provide accurate forecasts. Accurate forecasts will support better deployment of our capacity across our trades and in turn better support your business.

In addition, given port congestion and labor constraints at some of our ports in North America, please consider delivering your cargo following cut off guidelines (taking into account washing and fumigation timelines). As a result, we kindly ask you to consider delivery of your cargo as close as possible to receiving cut off (vessel ETA). This will allow us to better utilize space at our ports and terminals as well as allow for more efficient vessel loading and unloading operations. Early delivery of cargo is causing high inventory levels and it is impacting our efficiency and flexibility to operate our vessels.

Our port teams continue working diligently to ensure safe and efficient operations. Below is a brief summary of service status at key ports.

Galveston: Vessels continue to call Berth 32 as part of the port's improvement project. While productivity is impacted by the distance from the terminal, operations remain successful, and space availability has improved. Weight limits at Pier 32: 30- and 40-foot roll trailers can handle up to 60 tons (70 tons including conveyance), while larger trailers have reduced capacity due to tare weights. MPBs and Samson trailers remain suspended until the new road is completed.

Brazil - Rio de Janeiro: We would like to inform you of an update to our ocean service network. Effective immediately, Rio de Janeiro will no longer be included as a standard part of our service offering. Our service to/from North America and South America will focus on the following ports: Rio Grande, Paranagua, Santos, Cartagena, Manzanillo, Manta, Pisco, Galveston, Altamira, and Veracruz.

Chile: We regret to inform you that it has become necessary to discontinue our service to Chile from both Europe and Americas. We will continue to service Manta in Ecuador and Pisco in Peru, but the service to Chile will be discontinued as of February from Europe and March from Americas and the final sailing to Chile will be EC502.

Pto Quetzal: Guatemala: Port congestion at Puerto Quetzal is causing delays of 3–5 days due to limited crane availability, with only one mobile harbor crane currently operational. Expansion plans, including Berths #5 and #6, are expected to proceed in Q1 2025. Updates will follow as the situation evolves.

Panama Canal: The Panama Canal has resumed normal operations. However, only vessels with reservations are currently permitted to transit. Our voyage operators are working closely with Panama Canal authorities, leveraging the booking system and maintaining close communication with our vessel captains to ensure timely passage and avoid any delays.

Pto Caldera, Costa Rica: Puerto Caldera is operating above 100% capacity, resulting in significant delays for vessels, with an average wait time of 11.5 days. Yard congestion and the prioritization of container vessels over RoRo vessels are further contributing to delays in cargo handling and clearance.

Acajutla, El Salvador: Repairs at Acajutla's Piers A1 and A2 have limited their availability and rendered them unsuitable for larger vessels, with work expected to continue until March or April 2025. Piers B5 and B6 are in use but are not exclusive to RoRo vessels and subject to port administration's allocation. The port is experiencing significant congestion, with delays typically ranging from 3–5 days, and up to 14 days for some vessels. Reduced arrival drafts have helped manage operations amidst these challenges.

Buenaventura: The terminal is experiencing congestion due to reduced storage capacity caused by an increase in general cargo, project cargo, and oversized shipments. Breakbulk vessel calls, particularly those carrying steel products and bulk bags, have further strained storage space. Berthing delays, averaging 4–6 days, have been reported as high-volume vessels often anchor until space becomes available. This situation is expected to persist throughout the year, with port authorities exploring solutions like expanding external storage facilities.

Vehicle processing:
Operations: Our port processing centers are open and operational. As production continues to be disrupted, we continue to be flexible in the services we offer, and how we organize our sites, as well as seeking additional storage options where necessary.

Mexico: All facilities remain open and fully operational. We continue to work closely with plant production and vehicle distribution areas across every facility nationwide to ensure resources are effectively adjusted.

Canada: We're experiencing record-breaking volumes at our Richmond and Annacis ports, exceeding forecasts. Infrastructure improvements are underway, and while this temporarily reduces capacity, we're managing increased volumes through added staff and partnerships with shipping agents and railroads. There may be constraints on vessel discharges due to this surge.

Equipment processing:
Operations: Our equipment processing centers in the U.S. and Panama are open and operational, though with reduced staff in some locations to reflect demand.

Capacity: We continue to see strong volumes at both our on-port and off-port EPC sites and encourage our customers to both look at their upcoming forecasts and any planned changes to assist planning for our operations teams.

Keen Transport’s trucks are operational and deliver units to and from ports, plants and dealerships. The regional maintenance facilities are open to keep the fleet on the road, as well as our permitting team to secure necessary approvals.