SOUTH AMERICA

Coquimbo crippled by earthquake

11 years ago

The 8.3-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami that hit Chile last week has put a stop to the country’s coastal port of Coquimbo, local media reports.

It’s understood the port’s passenger terminal, administrative buildings and customs’ offices have been hit the worst.

Terminal Puerto Coquimbo (TPC), which began a 20-year concession at the port in 2012, is planning an investment of US$90m by 2016 to build new infrastructure and modernise existing infrastructure. Plans to add a new berth and 28,000m² are already underway.

Apparently, fishermen and shops were also affected by the tsunami, while a number of vessels were washed ashore. A comprehensive review of damage of the port is expected to be completed this week.