Update: 23.01.2024
While the state of emergency imposed by the government earlier this month continues nationwide in Ecuador, Kuehne+Nagel sources reveal that normal day-to-day activities are slowly resuming.
Nevertheless, isolated incidents of violence are still occurring, albeit without blocking or restricting public mobility. At the same time, the authorities continue to impose a curfew period in the country, restricting movement from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am.
Coastal areas of Esmeraldas and Guayas - the home town of Ecuador's largest port, the Port of Guayaquil - are still the areas with the highest violence incidents.
In addition to being an important business hub for the export of bananas and shrimp, Guayaquil City is described as a main export channel for drugs.
According to Ecuador's Navy Coast Guard commander Fernando Alvarez, 80% of the cocaine that comes to Europe is exported out of Guayaquil. A CBS News report highlighted recently that drug traffickers in the city are described as "spidermen" due to their ability to plant drugs onboard ships undetected.
Last year in November, Danish container carrier Maersk announced it would structurally stop calling Guayaquil Port as of January 2024. The carrier published a transition plan to call Posorja Port instead.
Local news portal The Ecuador Times reported that the port began to feel the impact of this decision starting December 2023.
Today's seaexplorer data shows that the 7-day average vessel waiting time at Guayaquil Port is 0.29 days, indicating that operations are normal at the time being.
While Kuehne+Nagel's staff in Quito and Guayaquil are working remotely, operations at Kuehne+Nagel's perishable warehouses continue without disruption.
Original article: 12.01.2024
On Monday, Ecuador's president, Daniel Noboa, declared a 60-day state of emergency and a nighttime curfew amid widespread civil unrest and violence. This will allow military intervention, including patrols, to restore peace after gangs attacked police and several explosions were seen across the country.
Local Kuehne+Nagel sources report that some private services, including gas stations and supermarkets in Quitoa, are open, while those in Guayaquil and other coastal cities remain partially closed. Schools across the country were closed on Wednesday and will remain closed until next week.
With regard to supply chain logistics, Kuehne+Nagel reports :
- Ports are operating normally.
- Quito customs, airport and bonded warehouses are operating without any disruption.
- Guayaquil customs and ports remain open and operating without any disruption.
- Borders were reopened, and customs were working remotely yesterday. The service is expected to be back to normal today.
- Perishable warehouses and flower farms are working without any disruption.
- Pick-ups and deliveries are back to normal.
- Air cargo flights are confirmed, and there have been further cancellations.
Kuehne+Nagel is monitoring the situation closely. Should you have any questions regarding your cargo, contact your local Kuehne+Nagel office.
