Compared to the efficient shipping routes between China and Europe or North America, the South American maritime route has long been criticized for its sluggish performance. With direct voyages typically taking 30-45 days and transshipments extending to 45-60 days, this transoceanic route faces multiple systemic challenges that create significant delays.
I. Distinct Characteristics of South American Shipping Routes
The geographical separation between South America's east and west coasts fundamentally shapes shipping patterns. East coast ports like Santos in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina, and Montevideo in Uruguay require vessels to cross the vast Pacific Ocean, either rounding Cape Horn at the continent's southern tip or transiting the Panama Canal to enter the Caribbean. West coast hubs such as Callao in Peru, San Antonio in Chile, and Buenaventura in Colombia offer more direct Pacific crossings, though some still depend on Panama Canal transshipments.
The lack of viable overland transport options between coasts due to challenging terrain and infrastructure deficiencies forces most cargo to follow lengthy maritime detours, compounding the route's inherent complexity.
Another critical issue is the shortage of direct shipping capacity. Unlike major Europe and North America routes, South America receives lower priority from shipping companies. Only select Chinese ports like Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Ningbo offer limited direct services to key South American terminals such as Santos and Callao. Most secondary ports rely on transshipment hubs like Colon in Panama, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, or Valparaiso in Chile - sometimes requiring multiple transfers. Industry data shows transshipment alone consumes 30%-50% of total delivery time.
Port inefficiencies create additional bottlenecks. Many South American terminals suffer from outdated infrastructure, inadequate equipment, and cumbersome procedures, resulting in docking and unloading speeds significantly slower than developed-world ports. During peak seasons, vessels may wait 7-15 days to berth at Santos or Buenos Aires. Labor strikes and complex customs processes exacerbate delays.
Natural conditions introduce seasonal disruptions. The Cape Horn passage faces notoriously rough seas, forcing ships to reduce speed or reroute, adding 3-7 days to voyages. The Peru Current brings persistent fog to west coast ports, while November-March rainfall disrupts inland waterway connections.
Trade imbalances further destabilize schedules. The route carries predominantly Chinese exports (electronics, consumer goods) with limited southbound cargo (agricultural products, minerals). High empty return rates prompt carriers to slow speeds or consolidate voyages, creating scheduling inconsistencies. During peak export seasons, cargo rollovers of 7-14 days become common.
II. Root Causes of South America's Shipping Delays
The sheer geographical distance presents an immutable challenge. The China-South America route ranks among the world's longest maritime corridors. The 11,000-nautical-mile Shanghai-Santos voyage exceeds Shanghai-Rotterdam distances by over 3,000 nautical miles, requiring approximately 30 days' sailing time versus 28-35 days to Europe or 11-14 days to North America's west coast.
Multi-stage transshipments compound delays. The standard transfer process—unloading from mainline vessels, hub storage, feeder vessel allocation, and final delivery—adds 5-10 days per transfer. Secondary transfers (e.g., China→Panama→Barranquilla→final destination) may extend this by 7-15 days. Congested hubs and infrequent feeder services magnify these disruptions.
Customs and port inefficiencies create bureaucratic hurdles. Some South American nations maintain strict import policies requiring extensive documentation, with inspection rates far exceeding Western standards. Routine clearance takes 3-7 days, while sensitive goods may require 10-15 days. Container handling speeds average half those of developed-world ports, with vessels typically spending 3-5 days in port—extending beyond 10 days during peak periods.
Shipping companies adopt conservative operational strategies. Given the route's lower profitability compared to primary east-west lanes, carriers typically deploy slower, fuel-efficient vessels (16-18 knots versus 20-22 knots on premium routes). Widespread vessel-sharing agreements among carriers introduce additional scheduling complexities that frequently result in cargo rollovers or itinerary adjustments.
Geopolitical factors introduce unpredictability. Currency fluctuations, sudden policy changes (like Brazil and Argentina's frequent tariff adjustments), port labor strikes, and infrastructure maintenance create additional delays that lie beyond shippers' control.