Chile shows strong commitment to the Bioceanic Route project, a corridor that will connect Brazil to the Pacific Ocean, with significant investments in the modernization of its ports.
The country has elaborated a specific action plan to develop and improve port infrastructure, aiming to support the projected flow of cargo.
The project involves three important ports in the north of the country. In Antofagasta, the largest city in the region with more than 500,000 inhabitants, the investment plan reaches US $ 100 million to structure a logistics center and expand the annual transfer capacity to 7 million tons.
Potential and challenges
The private port of Angamos, located in Bahia de Merrillones, 60 kilometers from Antofagasta, is considered the most potential for adaptation to the route because it is away from urban centers.
In 2024, Porto moved more than 3.5 million tons of cargo, mainly critical minerals such as copper and lithium for the Asian market. Last year, US $ 43 million were invested in infrastructure projects.
In Iquique, the historic northern Chilean city, Porto prepares for an international bid in 2030, aiming at its expansion.
The strategic location, between the ports of Santiago to the South and the Chinese port of Shanghai in Peru, projects Iquique as potential hub logistics for import and export of goods.
The route, however, faces significant natural challenges. In Diyama’s step, the border between Argentina and Chile at the top of the Andes, weather conditions often impact traffic.
During winter, snowfalls can cause the border to close for several days, affecting the flow of trucks and vehicles.
