There are two shipping services servicing the Falkland Islands.
The first service is from UK using large roll-on/roll-off FIRS ships primarily to service the military facilities at Mt Pleasant complex providing a monthly service. Ships are moving from Marchwood Port in UK to Ascension Islands and afterwards move towards Falkland Islands. Space is available on this service to the civilian population, however the military have first priority. These ships dock at Mare Harbour in Falklands.
There are 10 sailings per annum and therefore sail approx. every 5 weeks.
The port closes for receipt of containers 2 weeks before sailing.
Transit time is 23 days direct (with a 2 day stop-over at Ascension Island)
Below is shown the current sailing schedule to Ascension Islands and Falkland Islands
The other shipping service is named South American Atlantic Service (SAAS).
SAAS is the only regular service for containers that connects Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) with Montevideo in South America. The regularity of the service is fortnightly. From Montevideo the outbound cargoes are transshipped to worldwide destinations and, vice versa for supplies to the Islands.
FIRS ship has very limited space for 40’ containers, were as SAAS are all 40’ containers which give advantage in better planning and utilization of the space for the food supplies into Falkland Islands.
Below it is shown the sailing schedule for 2017 via SAAS shipping line.
SAAS charter a 78 x 40” capacity Vessel to ship containers, though they are looking to expand this to 156 x 40’ vessel next year.
14 sailings per year from Montevideo.
SAAS Port Terminal at Stanley Port
Stanley Port to Mount Pleasant Airport:
The MPA road to MPC is open 365 days a year for container traffic either Dry or Reefer.
Total distance is 58.6 KM
It is mainly a compacted stone road with some tarmac stretches.
The speed limit is 40 MPH max at all times.
The onward deliveries to Mount Pleasant Complex can be carried either on Box Loader trailers, hauled by DAF tractor units, where the overall weight is within 38 Tonnes or flatbed where the tare weight/cargo weight exceeds 14 tonnes.
All vehicles and drivers have passes for entry into the MPC complex.
Bellow Pictures of the Road from Stanley Port to Mount Pleasant Airport
Import Process and Documents (Commercial):
For Commercial Import following documents are required:
The Bill of Lading (House Bill of Lading)
Commercial invoice and Delivery Note
Customs Declaration
Bio Security Clearance
Airlift logistics:
There are regular military flights done through RAF Brize Norton.
A 330 Voyager flies twice a week Sunday/Wednesday as per bellow flight times:
Mount Pleasant Airport, Falklands