Chilean ports suffer in downturn

Coronel announced a 30% decrease in traffic in April. However, a new container terminal is due to start operations soon following investment of $75m, which will boost capacity by 15%.

A further investment of $30m will allow coal to be imported for the Colbún electricity generating station.

At Lirquén, traffic is down 9.5%, although timber traffic has fallen by up to 57%. Overall, forecasts suggest a drop of up to 10% on the year. Long-term investment of $52m is, however, planned to buy new cranes, lengthen quays, build warehouses and a container stacking yard.

At Valparaiso, first-quarter traffic was down 22.9% to 2.3m tonnes, although local commentators suggest just 10% of the decline is due to the world economic crisis. Imported cars were down by 75% and imported minerals by nearly 90%.

In northern Chile, Iquique registered a 20% decline in the first-quarter, with a 60% drop in the number of used cars handled. At nearby Antofagasta, the decision to freeze several mining projects and also cut back on copper production has hit traffic.