How shipping networks are reshaping South America’s maritime competitiveness
The announcement that Hapag-Lloyd will acquire ZIM in a USD 4.2 billion transaction is more than another consolidation move in the container shipping industry. It reflects a broader reality shaping maritime transport worldwide: competitiveness is increasingly determined by the strength of shipping networks rather than fleet size alone. For South America, where maritime transport remains […]
Lázaro Cárdenas advances its Pacific hub ambitions with new capacity and automation investments
APM Terminals has inaugurated the second phase of its container terminal expansion in Lázaro Cárdenas while announcing the immediate launch of Phase III, a move backed by more than USD 350 million in new investment. Beyond the infrastructure milestone, the project reflects a broader strategy to strengthen the Mexican Pacific gateway’s role in regional trade, […]
The New Geography of Maritime Power in Latin America and the Caribbean
How ports are adapting to a new era of geopolitical uncertainty, climate disruption and shifting shipping networks For decades, port competitiveness in Latin America and the Caribbean was largely measured through throughput volumes, infrastructure capacity and connectivity. While those indicators remain important, recent disruptions have revealed a broader reality: the ports emerging as regional leaders […]
Maersk: data, compliance and AI are reshaping Latin American supply chains
According to Maersk’s latest trade and logistics insights, the competitive landscape for supply chains in Latin America is being redefined by geopolitical shifts, digital customs, artificial intelligence and a growing shortage of specialized talent. For decades, supply chain competitiveness in Latin America was largely measured through infrastructure quality, freight costs and transit times. According to […]
The Caribbean captured 44% of the global cruise market in 2025
The global cruise industry reached a new milestone in 2025, welcoming 37.2 million ocean-going passengers worldwide. While the sector’s post-pandemic recovery has been well documented, the latest State of the Cruise Industry Report from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) highlight another reality: the Caribbean continues to dominate global cruise tourism on a scale unmatched by […]
Cruise lines are betting on immersive and local experiences
For years, Caribbean cruise destinations competed largely on scenery, climate and accessibility. Today, cruise executives increasingly argue that what differentiates one destination from another is becoming less about geography and more about the quality of the experience passengers encounter once they step ashore. That shift emerged clearly during discussions featured in the 2025 FCCA Cruise […]
Why authenticity may become the Caribbean ’s strongest cruise advantage
Across the Caribbean, destinations continue investing in port infrastructure, terminal upgrades and visitor facilities to accommodate growing cruise traffic. Yet as cruise ships become increasingly sophisticated and passenger expectations continue to evolve, a different question is emerging: what truly differentiates one destination from another? According to Michele Paige, CEO of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), […]
Cruise growth is becoming an infrastructure challenge
With industry projections presented during the 2025 FCCA Cruise Conference pointing toward 37.7 million global cruise passengers in 2025 and forecasts approaching 42 million by 2028, cruise executives, port operators and destination authorities are increasingly confronting a practical question: can existing infrastructure keep pace with the industry’s next growth cycle? For years, much of the […]
Puerto Rico positions itself as a regional cruise hub
Puerto Rico expected approximately 1.9 million cruise passengers during the season discussed at the 2025 FCCA Cruise Conference, a figure that reflects both the scale of its cruise industry and the island’s growing ambitions within the Caribbean market. While many destinations across the region are competing to attract additional cruise calls, Puerto Rico is pursuing […]
Cruise lines warn against excessive taxation and policy instability
A proposed federal immigration fee for cruise passengers in Mexico became one of the most closely watched policy issues referenced during the 2025 FCCA Cruise Conference in Puerto Rico. The debate was highlighted by Vicky Rey, Vice President of Government Affairs for Latin America at Carnival Corporation & plc, who pointed to the measure as […]
Why homeporting is becoming the Caribbean’s next strategic battleground
For decades, success in the Caribbean cruise industry was often measured by the number of ship calls a destination could attract. Today, a different competition is taking shape. Across the region, ports and tourism authorities are increasingly focused on securing homeport operations rather than simply welcoming transit passengers. The distinction is significant. While a traditional […]
The transformation of decision-making channels in global travel: strategic lessons for the LAC region
Amadeus’ Travel Dreams 2026 report documents the emergence of artificial intelligence as a leading driver of inspiration and decision-making in travel. For regional transport stakeholders, the shift calls for a new strategic reading. At the end of 2025, Amadeus released Travel Dreams 2026: From data to delight, a study conducted by UK-based agency Opinium Research […]