31 May, 2023
News Categories. NewsSouth America consists of 12 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
The continent is significant in the global shipping and freight industry, primarily for its strategic positioning. With access to both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, this location allows for efficient trading between Asia, Europe, North America, and other regions of the world.
Many South American countries are also rich in natural resources. This includes minerals, oil, gas, agricultural products, and forestry products. Countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, have experienced significant economic growth in recent years and are considered emerging markets. This growth has fueled increased levels of trade and demand for shipping services.
Main Shipping Ports in South America
Each country has its own network of shipping ports to facilitate maritime trade and transportation. Here is a list of the countries in South America and their respective shipping ports of significance:
Ports in Argentina
The Port of Buenos Aires is the second-largest port in South America and the main port in the country of Argentina. The San Lorenzo and San Martin deepwater port is shared by the neighbouring cities of the same name, situated in the Santa Fe province. It handles 32 million tonnes of cargo every year, accounting for 50% of the country’s maritime traffic.
Ports in Bolivia
Despite being a landlocked country with no direct access to the sea, Bolivia has established agreements with neighbouring countries to access shipping ports for its foreign trade. The Port of Arica in Chile is one of these, giving access to the Pacific Ocean. Peru’s Port of Ilo is another.
Ports in Brazil
There are numerous ports in Brazil, including the Port of Santos, Port of Rio de Janeiro, and Port of Paranaguá, among others. The Santos Port is located in Brazil, it is the busiest port in South America and one of the largest in the world. The Port of Itaqui in Brazil is located on San Luis Island and comprises a 1616 metres long dock and 8 operational docks. It handles 146 million tonnes of cargo every year.
Ports in Chile
The Port of San Antonio in Chile ranks as the 13th busiest port in South America. It’s situated on the central coastline near the capital of Santiago, famous for seafood trading. On average, 950 ships, 12.1 million tonnes of cargo, and 1 million TEU are handled each year. Valparaíso Port is a major hub for containerised cargo, general goods, and passenger cruises. The northern Port of Mejillones handles bulk commodities, such as minerals and agricultural products. The port plays a vital role in supporting the mining industry and facilitating the export of minerals.
Ports in Colombia
Colombia’s Port of Cartagena is situated on the northern coastline and serves the capital of Bogota. The port is home to several industries and processing plants such as sugar and tobacco processing, cosmetics, leather products, fertilisers and textiles. Cartagena port handles 33 million tonnes of cargo and 2.3 million TEU every year.
Ports in Ecuador
Ecuador has several main ports along its coastline that serve as important hubs. The Port of Guayaquil is the country’s primary seaport, handling agricultural products, industrial goods, and containers. Manta Port, Esmeraldas Port, and Puerto Bolivar Port are other key hubs for trade and import/export operations.
Ports in Guyana
Guyana is located on the northeastern coast of South America, with several main ports. This includes the Port of Georgetown in the capital city, serving as a key gateway for international trade and handling cargo such as containers, general goods, and bulk commodities. The New Amsterdam and Linden Ports are important for cargo related to the sugar industry and bauxite, a major mineral resource in Guyana.
Ports in Paraguay
Paraguay is another landlocked South American country, and so it relies on its extensive river network for trade and freight operations. This includes the Paraguay River and Parana River, both of which are connected to international shipping routes. The Port of Asuncion is situated in the capital city, facilitating trade and the movement of goods along the Paraguay River. The Port of Villeta is another key port.
Ports in Peru
The Port of Callao in Peru features 18 berthing facilities that serve container carriers, bulk and breakbulk carriers, RORO ships, oil tankers, general cargo vessels and passenger ships. It also functions as a naval base, thus becoming one of the busiest South American ports. Other key ports are the Port of Paita and Port of Salaverry, among others.
Ports in Suriname
The Port of Paramaribo is situated in the country’s capital city and is the primary seaport for Suriname. The Nieuw Nickerie Port is located on the Nickerie River, near the country’s border with Guyana, and facilitates trade and transportation along the river and coastal areas. The Port of Moengo serves as a vital river port for the mining industry, specifically for the export of bauxite and related products.
Ports in Uruguay
Uruguay’s Montevideo Port is situated in the capital city of Montevideo and is the primary port in the country due to its connections to global shipping routes. The Port of Nueva Palmira is an essential port on the Uruguay River for the export of agricultural products such as soybeans, wheat, and corn. The Colonia Port serves as a point of entry for passenger ferries and provides connections to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Ports in Venezuela
Venezuela’s Port of La Guaria serves as a major gateway for imports and exports, handling a wide range of cargo, including containers, general goods, and petroleum products. The Port of Puerto Cabello is the country’s largest port and is vital for international trade, including for automobiles. Maracaibo Port is an essential seaport for western Venezuela, mainly handling petroleum and oil-related products, as it is located in an oil-rich region.
South America Freight with KG Logistics
KG Logistics offer a comprehensive freight forwarding service to help clients import and export from South America.
Our sea and air freight services include part load (LCL), full load (FCL) and all air freight for commercial and general public clients.
KG Logistics also provide a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) service. This is a method of loading and unloading the cargo in which it is driven onto and off the transportation using a ramp.
We can arrange ex-works and FOB shipments depending on our client’s requirements. Our specialised breakbulk team can arrange ex-works and FOB shipments for all larger out-of-gauge cargo. We can arrange any type of air freight shipping on a door-to-door basis, whether your shipment is of utmost urgency or it requires a full charter of an aircraft.
Speak to our experts today at 01634 540109 to find out how KG Logistics can help you with your freight forwarding needs.