Chili has launched the tender for a port megaproject which was paralyzed for 12 years with the aim of consolidating its position in the South American maritime market. The reactivation of this project seeks to modernize the country’s port infrastructure and maintain its competitiveness in the region against other similar initiatives in the South Pacific.
The central work of this plan is the extension of the Puerto de San Antoniowhose projected mobilization capacity would reach up to 6 million teus per year. With an estimated investment in US $ 2.5 billion, the port will be prepared to receive state -of -the -art ships of up to 400 meters in length, which will allow a significant increase in the efficiency of Chilean maritime trade.
Details of the port megaproject in Chile: investment and execution deadlines
The Expansion Project of the Puerto de San Antonio It contemplates several phases, starting with the construction of the Mar Terminal, whose tender has already started, so it is expected to be ready in 2030. The infrastructure will include two bangs and will be managed by private concessionaires, according to the Chile Government.
The first works in the port include the construction of a breakwater, the dredging of the dock and the development of road and rail infrastructure. According to the projections, the port could receive its first ship in 2036, consolidating itself as a key point for international trade and enhancing the country’s logistics capacity.
Reasons behind the 12 -year delay and its impact on competitiveness
The tender of the project of Puerto de San Antoniooriginally announced in 2018, suffered multiple delays due to environmental evaluations, consultations with local communities and the technical complexity of its implementation. Port unions also expressed concerns about possible automation and their impact on jobs, which contributed to prolong the approval process.
In parallel, the construction of a Megaobra in Peru increased pressure on Chili to modernize its port system and avoid losing relevance in the Maritime Trade market. It was not until 2024 that the Ministry of Transportation of Chile It formally initiated the prequalification of companies interested in the project, which represented a crucial step to guarantee the technical and economic solvency of the future awarding.
Other maritime projects that reinforce Chilean port infrastructure
In addition to San Antonio outer port, Chili It is promoting other initiatives to improve its port infrastructure. Among them, the extension of the terminals in Valparaíso and the implementation of advanced technologies in strategic ports to increase operational efficiency.
These works are part of a national plan aimed at strengthening the country’s connectivity and logistics capacity, in anticipation of maritime trade growth in the coming decades. The strategy also includes environmental mitigation measures and participation of local communities in consultation and development processes.
The outer port of San Antonio is considered a key component within this plan, with a schedule that provides for the completion of the first works by 2026 and its total operability in 2036, consolidating Chile as a relevant actor in South American maritime trade.
Source: Larepublica
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