Ecuadorian exporters launch platform to measure maritime transport performance

Ecuadorian exporters have introduced a new online platform designed to measure the performance of maritime transport services. The initiative, launched by the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor), aims to pinpoint inefficiencies and excessive costs that hinder the country's foreign trade.

Dubbed the "Naval Barometer," the platform will track logistical friction, enhance the traceability of shipping services, and generate technical indicators to monitor the performance of various players involved in maritime transport. Fedexpor highlighted that Ecuador, relative to its size, ships the most containerized cargo from South America's west coast, with over 500,000 full export containers annually. Logistical misalignments, they noted, translate directly into increased costs and delays for exporters.

The barometer will also assess logistics costs, including freight rates and additional charges, and their impact on the profit margins of exporting companies. Currently, logistics costs represent 17.9% of Ecuador's export sales. This figure is significantly higher than in Chile (12%) and Peru (16%), which export similar goods to the same destinations in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Fedexpor pointed out that rising maritime transport costs, exacerbated by factors like the conflict in the Middle East which can add 10 to 15 days to transit times, make it crucial to identify and address daily changing elements. Xavier Rosero, president of Fedexpor, stated that the barometer consolidates exporter perceptions of shipping services to foster an integrated logistics model. This model will connect private sector actors and facilitate technical dialogue with regulatory bodies, aiming to moderate the impact of costs on exporters.