AGUNSA Participated in the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Expansion of Puerto Antofagasta’s Breakwater
On June 8, AGUNSA participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Puerto Antofagasta’s Breakwater, a strategic project aimed at strengthening port infrastructure and supporting the logistical development of the Antofagasta Region and the broader South American region.
The event took place at Site Zero of Puerto Antofagasta and brought together national and regional authorities, representatives from the port industry, logistics stakeholders, and special guests, all of whom took part in this important milestone for the future of the main port in northern Chile.
Representing AGUNSA were Erick Contreras, Antofagasta Branch Manager, and Tomás Valenzuela, Southern Cone Commercial Manager, who joined authorities including the Minister of Public Works and Transport and Telecommunications, the Port Captain, representatives from the Regional Ministry of Transport, executives from Puerto Antofagasta, and other key industry leaders.
The project includes a 65-meter extension of the existing breakwater, a development expected to reduce operational shutdowns caused by swells by approximately 80%, significantly improving harbor protection while increasing the reliability and capacity of port operations.
With an investment exceeding CLP 45 billion, the project is part of Puerto Antofagasta’s Master Plan and is being carried out under a development agreement signed with the Regional Government of Antofagasta. It also forms part of a broader portfolio of initiatives that includes the La Negra Logistics Development Zone and the Portezuelo Inland Port Project, both aimed at strengthening the region’s logistics capacity and meeting the growing demands of industry.
Currently, Puerto Antofagasta handles approximately 3.5 million metric tons of cargo annually. Once these projects are completed, the port is expected to reach a potential capacity of up to 7 million metric tons per year, reinforcing its role as a key infrastructure asset for foreign trade and productive activity in northern Chile and Argentina.
This development is particularly significant given the sustained growth of strategic sectors such as mining, the lithium industry, renewable energy projects, and project cargo, as well as the opportunities associated with the Bioceanic Corridor.
In this context, Erick Contreras, AGUNSA Antofagasta Branch Manager, highlighted that “this project will enable both the region and the Port of Antofagasta to further strengthen operational continuity, reducing terminal closures caused by swells by nearly 80% and increasing its capacity from 3 million to 7 million tons per year—benefits that will undoubtedly be leveraged by our customers.”
For AGUNSA, participating in initiatives such as this represents an opportunity to support projects that contribute to strengthening the country’s logistics infrastructure, enhancing competitiveness, efficiency, and the capacity to address future challenges in trade and regional development.
