Ministry pushes back Los Andes dry port deadline

Chile's public works ministry has extended to September 15 from Tuesday (Aug.31) the deadline to submit offers to design, build and operate a dry port at Los Andes in Region V, a concessions department official told BNamericas. The project, dubbed "Puerto Terrestre Los Andes," involves a 25-year operating contract and entails construction of customs, agricultural and livestock service centers, as well as health service and police quarters. On the private sector side, offices for customs agents, freight forwarders, financial services, restaurants and storage areas are planned. The project's estimated budget is US$11mn. Technical proposals will be opened the same day offers are due, while economic bids will be opened October 15, said the spokesperson. The extension was at the request of potential bidders. Groups that purchased bidding rules include SAAM, Empresa Constructora Bravo e Izquierdo Fuenzalida, Aysén Gas, Agunsa, Ultramar, Tecsa, Acsa Agbar, Inversiones San Jorge, Azvi, Belfi, Inversiones Los Inkas, Promoción de Autopista Chile, Octavio Colmenares Grunberger and Constructora L y D. Some 150,000 trucks are expected to use the dry port during its first year of operation, increasing to 182,500 in later years. The port will occupy a 24ha plot in an area known as El Sauce, 6km east of Los Andes on the route across the Paso de los Libertadores mountain pass to Mendoza, Argentina. The dry port is expected to streamline customs operations, reduce traffic congestion in central Chile and regulate the sector, eliminating numerous informal truck stops that fail to meet safety, security or environmental standards.