by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

(AI-Translations): Español

Container carriers CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd have recently highlighted logistical challenges in Guatemala and El Salvador.

In a recent advisory, the French liner said it was facing "significant ports and borders congestion in Guatemala," causing delays to operations. 

CMA CGM reports that a tri-axle chassis shortage and weather-related events are impacting the inland movement of cargo.

These challenges have also severely impacted the transportation of goods from Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomas de Castilla to various inland points in El Salvador and Guatemala.

According to Hapag-Lloyd's latest update, the port of Acajutla in El Salvador is experiencing high berth occupancy, with yard utilisation at 58% and a waiting time of 72 hours for vessel calls.

Similarly, in Guatemala, Puerto Quetzal is facing significant delays. The APMT Quetzal yard is 86% occupied, with a waiting time of 72 hours and high berth occupancy.

The Muelle Comerc yard at Puerto Quetzal is at 75% utilisation.

Meanwhile, Guatemala's Puerto Barrios is operating with a yard utilisation of 87%, says Hapag-Lloyd.