MERCOSUR: Shipping Market 2025

Shipping Market Size in MERCOSUR

After two years of growth, the MERCOSUR shipping market decreased by -31.7% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, enjoyed a modest increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Shipping Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, shipping production expanded notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded modest growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 135%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Shipping Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the amount of ships, vessels, ferry-boats for the transport of persons exported in MERCOSUR reduced to X units, shrinking by -14.3% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 367%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X units, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, shipping exports dropped markedly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 1,438% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Brazil dominates exports structure, amounting to X units, which was near 75% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X units), Peru (X units) and Venezuela (X units), together generating a 25% share of total exports.

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the ships, vessels, ferry-boats for the transport of persons exports, with a CAGR of +20.7% from 2012 to 2021. Argentina, Peru and Venezuela experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Brazil (+75 p.p.), Peru (+8.3 p.p.) and Venezuela (+8.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Argentina (-41.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest shipping supplying countries in MERCOSUR were Argentina ($X), Brazil ($X) and Venezuela ($X), with a combined 80% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Venezuela, with a CAGR of +35.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per unit, reducing by -21.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 354% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per unit), while Peru ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+18.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Shipping Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, purchases abroad of ships, vessels, ferry-boats for the transport of persons decreased by -99.2% to X units, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, imports saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 2,395%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X units. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, shipping imports reduced notably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 639%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

Ecuador (X units) and Peru (X units) represented roughly 68% of total imports in 2021. Argentina (X units) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 19% share, followed by Venezuela (7.4%). Guyana (X units) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Peru (with a CAGR of +41.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Peru ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported ships, vessels, ferry-boats for the transport of persons in MERCOSUR, comprising 74% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Venezuela ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Ecuador, with a 3.2% share.

In Peru, shipping imports increased at an average annual rate of +73.9% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Venezuela (+3.4% per year) and Ecuador (-8.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per unit in 2021, surging by 879% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw significant growth. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Peru ($X per unit), while Argentina ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ecuador (+20.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform