La Guaira Port, Venezuela’s main port, has officially announced a phased reopening after being fully shut down for nearly a month following the powerful earthquake on June 24.

According to Maersk’s latest official announcement on July 21, the port will resume operations in stages after a 28-day shutdown. Ocean Network Express (ONE) is also resuming port calls and booking services at La Guaira.

For freight forwarders and exporters operating South America and Venezuela services, the reopening does not mean that port operations have fully returned to normal. Temporary operating restrictions, vessel schedule changes, additional port change costs, and unresolved infrastructure damage continue to create significant uncertainty. Bookings and shipment plans should be arranged strictly in line with the official reopening schedule.

Key Highlights (Quick Read)

• Operations resume after a prolonged shutdown: La Guaira Port is beginning a phased reopening this week after a 28-day closure following the earthquake.

• Three-stage reopening plan: Operations will resume in the order of empty container evacuation, laden import container discharge, and full reopening. Shipments must not be arranged before the relevant operating stage begins.

• Port change costs confirmed: Temporary changes to the port of destination will incur handling fees, surcharges, and other additional costs.

• Operational risks remain: Structural damage at the port has not been fully repaired, and further changes to vessel schedules and port operations remain possible.

Port Reopening Plan: Three-Week Phased Resumption with Strict Operating Restrictions

Key conclusion: The reopening will be gradual rather than immediate. The permitted scope of operations is fixed for each stage, and shipments arranged outside the relevant operating window may face disruption.

To maintain operational safety and address infrastructure risks left by the earthquake, Maersk and the local port authorities have agreed on a three-week phased reopening plan. Only designated operations will be permitted during each week, with specific vessels and cargo types assigned to each stage. Requests beyond the permitted operating scope will not be accepted.

The overall reopening schedule may be adjusted according to port equipment availability, yard conditions, infrastructure repairs, and safety assessments.

Maersk emphasized that the reopening plan remains subject to adjustment. Progress in infrastructure repairs, equipment availability, access conditions within the port, and official safety assessments may directly affect its implementation.

Vessel schedules, the permitted scope of operations, and reopening dates may therefore change at short notice. Freight forwarders should continue to follow carrier announcements and adjust shipment and booking plans promptly to avoid demurrage and detention.

Latest Carrier Operating Guidance: Port Change Costs and Cargo Handling Rules Confirmed

Key conclusion: Temporary port changes will incur additional charges. Cargo arrangements should be confirmed with both the carrier and the customer in advance to avoid disputes over costs and responsibilities.

Maersk has issued operating rules for cargo delayed, diverted, or transferred during the port shutdown, clarifying the applicable procedures and allocation of costs.

First, changing the port of destination will incur additional costs. Cargo originally scheduled for La Guaira Port will be subject to handling fees, port surcharges, and transshipment costs if a temporary destination change is requested. No fee waiver will apply, and the party responsible for the charges should be confirmed in advance.

Second, cargo already diverted to alternative ports will continue to be handled under the previously announced procedures. Shipments discharged or transferred through alternative ports during the shutdown should complete customs clearance and delivery in accordance with the carrier’s existing operating rules and customs clearance guidance. No further amendment to the documentation is required.

The carrier has also required closer coordination with customers. All export bookings, empty container repositioning, import cargo pickup, and route changes involving Venezuela services must be confirmed in advance with local Maersk representatives to avoid demurrage, detention, and other operational risks.

Multiple Carriers Resume Services: ONE Reopens Bookings and Port Calls

Following Maersk’s announcement, Ocean Network Express (ONE) also confirmed that it would resume calls at La Guaira Port.

ONE has reopened import and export bookings for the port and is finalizing vessel schedules and berthing arrangements. Specific call schedules and operating arrangements will be announced shortly.

The resumption of port calls and booking services by Maersk and ONE indicates that the disruption and cargo backlog affecting Venezuela services for nearly a month are gradually easing.

However, carriers remain cautious. Major shipping lines are adopting a phased approach to avoid concentrated cargo flows and vessel calls that could cause port congestion or safety incidents. Vessel schedules for Venezuela services may therefore continue to fluctuate in the short term.

Operational Alerts and Recommended Actions for Freight Forwarders: Reopening Does Not Mean Full Recovery

Key conclusion: The phased reopening includes clear operating restrictions. Combined with unresolved infrastructure issues, short-term shipments still require careful risk control and accurate scheduling.

The reopening is a positive development for South America services, but freight forwarders should not immediately resume large-volume shipments. Three key risks require particular attention.

First, the three-stage operating schedule must be followed strictly. This week and next week are limited to empty container evacuation and the discharge of laden import containers. No export operations are permitted.

Laden export cargo and new bookings arranged before the relevant window opens may face an inability to load or discharge, booking cancellations, and container detention. Normal import and export shipments should be arranged only after full operations resume on August 3.

Second, port change costs should be assessed carefully and responsibilities confirmed in advance. When customers request a destination change, freight forwarders should disclose all additional charges and confirm which party will bear them to avoid margin losses and customer disputes.

Alternative ports should be selected in accordance with official carrier guidance to reduce transshipment risks.

Third, freight forwarders should remain alert to structural risks at the port. The earthquake caused serious structural damage to La Guaira Port. Only basic safety inspections and partial repairs have been completed, while terminal equipment, yards, and infrastructure have not yet fully returned to normal.

Further operational interruptions, vessel schedule delays, or temporary restrictions remain possible. Official announcements should therefore be followed closely.

Three Operational Checks for Freight Forwarders

• Does the shipment schedule match the reopening timeline? Clearly distinguish between the operating windows for empty containers and laden cargo. Do not arrange laden exports during restricted periods. 

• Have port change costs been disclosed and confirmed in advance? For bookings involving a change of destination, calculate handling fees and surcharges in advance and confirm the allocation of costs with the customer.

• Are carrier updates being followed promptly? Monitor the latest vessel schedules and operating announcements from Maersk, ONE, and other carriers, and adjust booking and shipment plans accordingly.

Industry Summary

The phased reopening of La Guaira Port after a 28-day shutdown is helping to ease logistics disruption and cargo backlogs on Venezuela services.

However, infrastructure damage, temporary operating restrictions, and port change costs mean that short-term stability remains limited.

Freight forwarders should follow the three-stage reopening schedule closely, distinguish between the operating windows for empty containers and laden cargo, confirm port change costs and shipment arrangements with customers in advance, and monitor updates from Maersk, ONE, and other carriers.

During the recovery period, freight forwarders may use the platform’s vessel schedule inquiry function to follow carrier schedule changes and adjust booking and shipment plans to reduce risks caused by service disruptions.

Sources: Maersk official website; World Ports; PortalPortuario

Disclaimer: The information in this article is collected from publicly available sources and is provided for industry reference only. It does not constitute commercial or logistics operational guidance.