IAM members in Colombia have provided an operational update following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake centered near San José del Palmar, Chocó, that has killed more than 200 people, with landslides cutting road access to the Port of Buenaventura and slowing port and customs operations nationwide.
IAM members report that household goods deliveries pending in Armenia and Cali are being held at clients’ request until affected families resolve their own situations, with one member offering free interim storage in Bogotá. Bogotá itself sustained no material damage. Buenaventura has been hit hardest operationally. Three landslides have cut its only road access to the interior, and its airport is closed. Members advise that the port continues operating but at a much slower pace, with terminal operators running emergency protocols and safety inspections; some shipping line offices at the port closed for two days after the quake. Cartagena, Tumaco, Urabá, and the Gulf of Morrosquillo continue operating without disruption. Maersk has confirmed disruption to vessel calls, cargo handling, and inland trucking tied to Buenaventura, temporarily omitting the port call and shifting affected cargo to the next available vessel.
Customs clearance is also slowing, largely due to unstable cell and internet service in the affected region and damage to some customs office infrastructure. Colombia’s government has published a draft emergency decree that would suspend certain customs deadlines between August 10 and September 10 in Pereira, Armenia, Manizales, Buenaventura, Quibdó, and Cali, covering cargo permanence at ports and bonded warehouses, customs declarations, and customs transit; the measure remains in draft form. Customs and deliveries through Cartagena and other unaffected areas continue normally.
IAM Member Impact: Members should expect extended delays on shipments routed through Buenaventura, with no firm restoration timeline yet available. Members with pending deliveries in Pereira, Armenia, Manizales, Cali, or Chocó should coordinate directly with their chosen IAM partner. IAM will continue to share updates as conditions develop.
Source: Bloomberg; NPR; Container News
Current Member Contributions: Moving Services By Cargo; Pack and Go; Dietrich Logistics; Inter Movings