Alphaliner Highlights Expansion of Container Shipping in Latin America and Warns of Port Challenges

Against a backdrop of transformation in container shipping, marked by the introduction of new capacity, service network reconfiguration, and geopolitical challenges, data analysis is becoming increasingly relevant to the industry. Speaking with MundoMaritimo during TOC Americas, Sofía Rodríguez, Sales Account Manager at Alphaliner, discussed the origins and services of the maritime market intelligence firm, as well as key industry trends globally and in Latin America, and the challenges shipping lines and ports across the region will face in the coming years.

Information to Support Decision-Making

Alphaliner was founded in 2000, driven by Jacques Goudchaux, in response to the lack of neutral, consistent, and real-time information on shipping lines' fleets, services, and capacity in an increasingly complex market. Over time, the Alphaliner Top 100 ranking was developed, positioning shipping lines according to their fleet capacity. In 2008, the company began a close collaboration with AXSMarine, with which it merged in 2021, before subsequently becoming part of Signal Ocean, a maritime market intelligence and data analytics platform.

The firm has developed a data infrastructure for container shipping, with a platform covering 7,700 active vessels and enabling users to monitor schedules, service changes, shipping line and port rankings, orderbooks, and chartering activity. Its market intelligence module includes indicators covering port congestion, idle fleets, schedule reliability, transit times, and capacity deployed by trade route.

The incorporation of the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which made it possible to track vessel movements, provided new momentum for Alphaliner's development. This technology paved the way for its APIs and AXSInsights, tools that facilitate maritime data analysis and integration into clients' systems. These are complemented by Alphaliner Predict, which uses statistical models based on decades of vessel movement data to forecast port arrivals, berthing times, and departures.

Its Weekly Newsletter and Monthly Monitor publications also serve as key references for shipping lines, shipowners, port authorities, terminals, logistics operators, and financial institutions.

In this context, Rodríguez emphasized that "when a reliable picture of the fleet is combined with actual service performance, decision-making improves: where to call, which shipping line to rely on, when to sign contracts, and whether to invest in berthing capacity. Good analysis does not eliminate uncertainty, but it can reduce it to something manageable."

Market Reconfiguration

Among the main transformations in container shipping, Rodríguez identified the restructuring of shipping alliances, growing capacity supply, and the energy transition.

"The network configuration that emerged in 2025 includes models such as Gemini Cooperation, Premier Alliance, Ocean Alliance, and MSC's independent operations, with MSC accounting for 21.5% of the global fleet. These structures now compete not only on freight rates, but also on service coverage and reliability," she said.

Regarding capacity, Alphaliner's October Monthly Monitor places the orderbook at 15.12 million TEUs, equivalent to 43.9% of the operating fleet. It also projects capacity increases of 9.2% in 2027 and 14.4% in 2028.

"This scenario could intensify supply-demand imbalances, particularly if a normalization of Red Sea transits releases capacity currently absorbed by diversions around the Cape of Good Hope," Rodríguez explained.

The energy transition is another determining factor. According to Alphaliner data, LNG dual-fuel vessels account for 56% of ordered capacity, while methanol-capable vessels represent 12%. However, conventionally powered vessels still account for 88% of operating capacity, reflecting the challenges associated with fleet renewal and decarbonization.

Capacity Growth in Latin America

Latin America ranks among the fastest-growing regions in container shipping. According to Alphaliner, by the end of 2024, services connected to the region had added 853,000 TEUs of capacity over twelve months, representing year-on-year growth of 22.4% and accounting for 15% of the active global fleet. In 2025, the region once again recorded the highest percentage growth in fleet capacity.

This momentum is also reflected in the deployment of modern vessels with greater refrigerated container capacity. Meanwhile, on the Pacific coast, the development of Chancay and its direct connection with Asia are intensifying competition with Callao, while the tender for San Antonio's Puerto Exterior project represents a key decision for expanding port capacity.

"The main challenge is that regional averages can be misleading. Capacity utilization may appear comfortable at the regional level while, at the same time, specific ports handling major shipping services are operating at their limits," Rodríguez warned.

She also emphasized that cargo owners will need to monitor geopolitical risks, changes in trade policy, decarbonization regulations, alliance performance, and port capacity in regions such as Latin America.

Regarding Alphaliner's future, Rodríguez explained that the firm aims to consolidate its position as a neutral reference source, strengthen its predictive capabilities, and integrate its services through APIs, customized reports, and trade route analysis. It also plans to expand its reach among cargo owners, considering their exposure to changes in the supply chain.

"Integration with Signal Ocean adds scale and technology to this strategic plan, bringing together reliable tools for both day-to-day decisions and long-term planning in volatile markets," Rodríguez concluded.

By MundoMaritimo