February launch for San Antonio privatisations

This is the culmination of a process that has taken four years to get off the ground. Terminal Costanera Espigón should be transferred to private management in the last quarter of 2010.

No local port operators will be allowed to bid for the concession, leaving local companies Matte and Urenda as favourites.

The proposed tender for Terminal Number Nine will be offered as a 30-year concession for the handling of dry bulk. A single operator is being sought to handle and warehouse consignments.