The Amazon River is a lifeline for maritime operations in Manaus, but currently it is facing critical depth challenges that render such operations unfeasible. This has led to limited booking acceptance, forcing shipping companies to implement a contingency plan for both import and export cargo to and from Manaus due to the Amazon River drought.
In effect, the navigability conditions on the Amazon River have been presenting a substantial reduction in the water level along its bed. This draft restriction directly affects the cargo capacity with which ships can use the river, limiting shipments and discharges at the port of Manaus.
These limited conditions have reached an alarming level, impeding line container vessels to access the port. The weather conditions that generated these restrictions are unstable, which makes it impossible to accurately provide a forecast of improvement.
Source: cma-cgm.com