In June, 600,000 truckers blockaded highways for 10 days, forcing many ports to reduce capacity or temporarily close. Concurrent strikes by energy workers, stevedores and customs officials have also worsened the situation and lowered the country’s commodity prices, especially soybeans. The first harvests of corn entering the supply chain have also caused congestion at Brazil’s ports , leaving them unable to cope with demand. According to data from MarineTraffic, Santos, Brazil’s biggest port had 28 vessels waiting at anchorage and 32 at berth, while bulk carriers at all ports are suffering waiting times of four to five days. In an interview with Lloydslist.com, David Ross, National Manager of Alphamer Agencia Maritim, a Brazilian bulk cargo port and agency specialist, said: “The ports are still feeling the congestion because of the truck strike and we hear there is still a lot of cargo to reach the ports. “Customs officials are still on strike, but as most clearance processes are handled online this is not having a major impact.”
ports in Brazil are struggling to cope with sudden congestion as the first corn harvests arrive for loading causing massive backlogs following last year 's strikes by truckers , energy workers , fishermen and customs officials that virtually brought the country to a standstill . Ports are struggling to keep up with demand as shipping is still struggling to get to the port , while customs officials remain on strike . The world ’s biggest port , Santos , had 32 vessels waiting at anchor and 32 berthed as ships waited up to five days to be loaded .