Update: 26.10.2023
Local news outlets in Brazil reveal that ship berthing resumed at the Port of Navegantes, and operations are slowly returning to normal. Kuenhe+Nagel sources confirm that work at the port resumed, but delays are still expected as terminals are full of containers.
The latest operational update by Hapag-Lloyd also confirms the port is open but operates with draft restrictions. Nevertheless, the situation at the port remains unstable at this stage and could change depending on the weather conditions.
The closure – which began on 5 October - remained for over two weeks, mainly due to severe weather conditions.
Heavy rainfall prompted authorities to open the Itajaí-Açu River gates. This caused strong currents at the river mouth, making it difficult for vessels to navigate the port. Both Maersk and CMA CGM decided to divert some of their vessels to other ports to avoid schedule delays.
Access to Itajaí Port has also been closed earlier this month due to heavy rainfall. However, exports forecast the opening of the port to take longer as the government is on the lookout for a new port operator.
Brazilian online agency ND Mais estimated the losses caused by the closure of both ports at R$500 million (USD 100 million).
Update: 23.10.2023
According to the latest updates from carriers Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk, Brazil's Navegantes Port remains closed due to adverse weather conditions.
In a recent statement, Maersk announced it will start diverting vessels to alternative ports as a specific reopening timeline is still unknown. In addition, the carrier said it will apply Force Majeure for the affected shipments and will temporarily suspend the acceptance of SPOT bookings at Navegantes for the BRASEX, GS1, and UCLA services.
On 20 October, French carrier CMA CGM also announced it would divert some vessels to other ports. According to the carrier's advisory, a contingency plan was put in place under Force Majeure for some vessels, including KOTA SANTOS, CMA CGM JACQUES JR and RODOLPHE.
Similarly, CMA CGM updated its customers on the Amazon River situation, which currently experiences severe drought. The carrier highlighted that the reduction in the water level along the river bed is limiting shipments and discharges at the port of Manaus.
As a result, a contingency plan is now in place affecting the Manaus Shuttle service offered by CMA CGM, which involves container vessels BOMAR PRAIA, MARFRET GUYANE and EXPRESS BRAZIL.
Original article: 09.10.2023
Extreme weather conditions in the Itajaí region due to the El Nino phenomenon have prevented ships from berthing at the Port of Navegantes, Brazil, since 4 October. The port is closed and will remain so until conditions improve.
Due to the continuous heavy rainfall in the region, the risk of flooding and landslides remains high. To mitigate this risk, the Itajaí-Açu River gates are open, resulting in strong currents at the river mouth. This makes it difficult for vessels to berth at Navegantes.
Considering there is no indication of when conditions will be safe for vessels, carriers have terminated voyages for containers destined for Navengantes.
Affected vessels
In an advisory dated 6 October, Maersk announced the Bremen Belle 355S would omit Navegantes and end the voyage at Itapoa, discharging Navegantes containers there. According to Kuehne+Nagel data, the vessel called Itapoa over the weekend and is currently waiting to berth at Paranagua.
Similarly, MSC announced force majeure ending the voyage for the MSC Eugenia - NA334A at Imbituba for all containers. The ship is on its way to Rio Grande after sailing from Imbituba yesterday.
Kuehne+Nagel's seaexplorer shows the following seven vessels are expected in Navegantes this week.
While no advisories are available yet for these vessels, the change in schedules and the termination of voyages is possible. Should you have any further questions on shipments to/from Navegantes, please reach out to your local Kuehne+Nagel team.
