August 10 marked a historic moment for El Salvador and Costa Rica as they pioneered maritime cargo transport in Central America and the broader Latin American region with the inaugural voyage of the Blue Wave Harmony ferry. The long-awaited ferry project is set to invigorate Salvadoran trade within the region, with approximately 40% of the country’s exports destined for Central America, according to Silvia Cuéllar, President of the Exporters Corporation of El Salvador (Coexport).
In an early morning interview, Cuéllar highlighted the significance of regional trade and expressed optimism about its growth potential through the new ferry service. She revealed that, after conducting a comprehensive survey, nearly 90% of the identified export companies indicated their interest in adopting this innovative mode of transportation.
«Not only have we conducted a survey, but also close to 90% of the companies we’ve identified have expressed keen interest in the project,» Cuéllar explained.
Cuéllar also shared that the enthusiasm isn’t limited to Salvadoran companies; Guatemalan enterprises have also shown interest, as evidenced by the presence of two Guatemalan containers on the ferry’s maiden voyage. Furthermore, companies from Honduras have also demonstrated interest in utilizing this service.
One of the ferry’s major advantages is its ability to significantly reduce transportation time for goods, which translates to lower maintenance costs for trucks and overall streamlined logistics. Cuéllar emphasized that the ferry’s costs are justified by the time saved and simplified processes. For business owners, the key factor is ensuring swift delivery to the final destination.
«The ferry is now a top consideration, if not the top one. We’ve faced numerous challenges in the past, and we hope to avoid those with the ferry. We expect transporters to join [the project],» Cuéllar remarked.
Coexport also applauded the efforts of the Salvadoran government institutions, particularly the Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA), for expediting the processes necessary for the ferry’s launch.
«We’ve had extensive discussions with CEPA’s president, Federico Anliker, and he was fully committed to making it happen. A great deal of effort was required, and with determination, we achieved it. With Blue Wave coming in, we already have plans to have the vessel at the port,» Cuéllar added.
The Blue Wave Harmony ferry marks a promising era for Salvadoran trade and logistics, streamlining the movement of goods within the region and signaling a positive shift for the region’s economic landscape. As more companies embrace this new mode of transportation, the benefits of reduced transit times, lower maintenance costs, and efficient logistics are expected to drive growth and innovation across Central America’s commercial landscape.