Brazilian health inspector strike keeps ships at anchor awaiting berths

BRAZIL's ports are struggling to maintain normal operations owing to a nationwide strike launched by the national health authority with 78 ships waiting at anchor at the Port of Santos for the lack of cargo clearance papers.

According to Gulf Agency Company (GAC), the Port of Santos is experiencing delays because cargo is stuck in terminals awaiting health inspection clearance.

Other major ports in Brazil are suffering delays, says GAC's Hot Port News bulletin. Vitoria, in the south-east, has seen ships at anchor awaiting berths increase 10-fold.

Brazil's largest southern port, Paranagua, has more than 120 ships at anchor. But the port authority said the problem there was compounded by heavy rains over the last the 40 days. More than 20 ships are also at anchor at the Port of Suape in the northeast.