Maersk Highlights Supply Chain Resilience in Latin America Market Report

Maersk released its Latin America Market Update for October 2026, a report in which the carrier states that supply chain resilience is no longer seen merely as a contingency investment but has become a measurable business capability. According to the company, risk anticipation, operational visibility, flexibility and reliable execution allow companies operating in the region to protect revenue, manage operating costs and strengthen customer trust in an increasingly volatile logistics environment.

Regarding port conditions, Maersk noted that operations on the east coast of South America remained generally stable, with most vessels arriving within their berth window and waiting times of between 0 and 6 hours, although Santos and Itapoá faced temporary pressure from berthing queues and yard occupancy. The carrier indicated that weather -fog, strong winds and high swell- is the main operational risk in the region, that Manaus river levels continued to fall with draft restrictions toward the end of the period, and that Montevideo remains under monitoring due to ongoing labor discussions.

On the west coast of South America, the company reported that ports such as Guayaquil, Callao, Paita, Arica, Iquique, Valparaíso and San Antonio remain active and connected to the regional network, with a focus on operational planning and yard management. In Central America, the Andean region and the Caribbean, Maersk highlighted steady vessel activity and consistent terminal performance at ports such as Puerto Barrios, Santo Tomás de Castilla, Puerto Cortés and Acajutla, supported by recent improvements in navigation and dredging.

The report quantifies the impact of insufficient resilience: according to a study by Maersk and FT Longitude, companies registered an average revenue loss of 5.1% due to supply chain disruptions, while resilience-leading companies limited those losses to 1% or less, and 95% of the latter consider close collaboration with their logistics partners essential for detecting risks earlier. As an example of anticipation, Maersk cited the restrictions that affected the Panama Canal during 2024, which highlighted the importance of identifying risks in time to adjust inventories and routes. The carrier also referenced World Bank data indicating that comprehensive supply chain digitalization can reduce delays by up to 70%.

Finally, the report states that resilience also affects commercial relationships, since lack of visibility, reactive communication and recurring inconsistencies can undermine the trust of customers, suppliers and partners. Maersk concluded that keeping information up to date, communicating changes in a timely manner and meeting service commitments are key to preserving corporate credibility and strengthening participation in global value chains.