Chile needs to build a new large-scale port in order to meet growing demand and place greater emphasis on the complete logistics chain rather than port infrastructure, according to a new report by BNamericas Intelligence Series.
The report argues that the growing economy and strong foreign trade mean the region’s ports will be operating at full capacity by 2018. Forecasts suggest that demand at the ports of Valparaíso and San Antonio –which account for more than 60 per cent of the country’s cargo throughput – could increase five-fold over the next 20 years.
The government is said to be considering the construction of a new ‘megaport’ in the centre of the country but has not decided which of the two cities it should be located in.
“The location decision must be made from a logistical and political perspective, that is, considering what the cities' development projects are and what role the construction of a port can play in the logistics infrastructure, access, and connectivity, either via railway systems or distribution channels based on the project,” said George Marshall, president of Chile's maritime and port chamber Camport.
“It's a tough decision, because most of what has been done are technical port studies rather than logistical studies. In our opinion, a decision process has to be defined, because the final location of the port will bring in the involvement of the city that hosts it,” added the head of the union that represents shipping companies, maritime agencies and port operators in the country.
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