After sector complaints, Chile promises to boost port infra

Chile is developing a long-term port infrastructure plan following sector complaints over perceived loss of competitiveness to Peru, which is investing heavily in the area.

“These are long-term projects. You can’t build a port in two years as with a building. These are very large projects that also have to sync with the rest of our region’s urban geography, with our communities. And they have large impacts in environmental terms,” international economic relations undersecretary Claudia Sanhueza said in response to a question from BNamericas during a webinar hosted by the Chile Pacific Foundation.

Port players recently criticized the lack of projects as many terminals reach their capacity limits. 

Maritime port chamber Camport reported earlier this month that five ports are operating at occupation rates above 65%, with San Antonio port at 91%. The report emphasized that expansion studies for these terminals should have been started long ago. 

At the same time, Peru is stepping up its game by building the US$1.3bn Chancay port and modernizing the US$350mn El Callao facility.

By contrast, Chile’s largest projects, the US$500mn Terminal 2 in Valparaíso and the US$3.5bn San Antonio port enlargement, are stuck in the environmental review stage. 

Sanhueza said the government is continuing the port strategy of the previous administration, led by the transport ministry (MTT).

“There is a ministerial committee that is following a policy and a strategy for port development and we are working on that,” she said.

In April, the MTT and the economy ministry started consultation on drafting a national port logistics policy, which is expected to be published by year-end.