One of Peru's main ports, the Port of Paita, has been having difficulties which have been creating a lot of disturbances and turbulence in everyone's programs.
North Peru, at this period of time, is exporting mainly Grapes, Mangoes and Bananas in reefers out of Paita. The congestion was caused by a couple of days where some shipping vessels could not dock in Paita due to weather conditions. This was the starting point of a logistics nightmare that Peruvian producers and shippers have been experiencing these past couple of weeks.
"Our logistics & exports department has been experiencing a series of frustrations and delays, and for sure other companies in the North of Peru will say the same" said Bruce Oettel of Asica.
Many companies in Peru have been complaining, especially grape producers since a lot of them were having the cold treatment chain broken due to delays at Paita creating an unexpected financial impact. Some packing stations reported that packers could not pack any more fruit since their cold storage was completely full.
One of the reasons given for the complications in Paita was that the "new port system" was not implemented correctly and it was taking time for the port personnel to adjust to the new system, according to Asica. Container trucks lined up outside the port in those weeks and some measured 8km long and were blocking some streets in Paita city. Many drivers were standing in line and freight forwarders were frustrated that the loads are not getting into the vessels on time.
