Shipping problems in Brazil hamper stone exports to U.S.
According to Carlo Columbo from Savino del Bene -- a leading Italian international freight forwarder with facilities in South America, Europe, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Far East and Oceania -- the shipping situation came about in February of this year. “There was a shortage of seeds in the U.S., and they had to get them from Brazil,†said Columbo, who added that since harvest season is limited, Brazil had to ship out many containers right away. “This took priority over all other equipment and products, and began the container shortage. Then coffee season came, and the same thing happened all over again.â€
Columbo expressed that the problem is not necessarily a lack of containers, but that there is not enough room on the vessels to transport the containers back and forth to Brazil; therefore, many remain in the U.S. “We only get a certain amount of containers each month and now, because of this shortage, we get one-third of what we used to,†said Columbo. “There just isn't enough room on the vessels to carry the amount of containers available, so we are all losing business. You can no longer ship what you want and need to.â€