Towards a More Efficient and Sustainable Logistics Network: AGUNSA Participated in the Launch of the New Santiago–Concepción Intermodal Route
The initiative, driven by Conecta Logística together with public and private stakeholders, combined rail transport and electric trucks along a route of more than 500 kilometers, strengthening intermodality as an alternative for freight transportation in Chile.
AGUNSA’s facilities in Lampa served as the starting point for a new logistics initiative aimed at transforming the way goods are transported between central and southern Chile. On July 7, the Santiago–Concepción pilot route was launched, an intermodal operation that integrated rail transport and electric trucks to move cargo over a distance of more than 500 kilometers.
The initiative, coordinated by Conecta Logística and developed jointly with public institutions and private companies, sought to demonstrate that combining different modes of transport can create a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable logistics chain, while also contributing to emissions reduction and the optimization of distribution processes.
For AGUNSA, participating in this project represented another step in its commitment to developing innovative solutions for Chile’s logistics industry. During the launch ceremony, AGUNSA General Manager Matías Laso Polanco highlighted the impact that initiatives of this kind can have on the future of freight transportation in the country.
“This initiative helps drive change in the way cargo is transported between the central and southern regions of the country. We are very pleased to be part of this challenge and to contribute to the development of intermodality,” he said.
The event was attended by Louis de Grange, Minister of Public Works and Transport and Telecommunications; Jorge Claude, Chairman of EFE; Mabel Leva, Executive Director of Conecta Logística; and representatives of the various organizations participating in the collaborative initiative.
In this context, Minister Louis de Grange stressed the importance of promoting new freight transportation solutions through collaboration between the public and private sectors, emphasizing that:
“Combining rail and truck transport for freight movement is entirely viable through public-private collaboration, and this initiative is proof of that. We hope more companies will join this paradigm shift so that we can continue strengthening initiatives like this in the years ahead.”
For her part, Conecta Logística Executive Director Mabel Leva highlighted that projects such as this generate valuable insights that help strengthen logistics chains and improve coordination among different modes of transportation.
“What we are seeking is to make our country’s logistics chains more resilient and to learn how to collaborate across different modes of transportation. Learning how to implement these modal combinations and operate in facilities such as AGUNSA’s, where cargo is transferred between modes, is extremely important for generating knowledge, collecting data, and making the adjustments needed to enhance freight movement.”
The new route built on the experience carried out in 2024 between Santiago and Temuco, consolidating the progress achieved in intermodality and reaffirming the potential of these models to increase Chile’s logistics competitiveness, optimize the use of existing infrastructure, and advance toward more sustainable transportation systems.
The initiative brought together companies from a wide range of productive sectors, including CCU, Grupo Falabella, ICB, Melón, Viña Concha y Toro, and Pentacrom, which contributed different types of cargo such as food products, beverages, wines, retail goods, ceramics, and construction materials. This diversity of cargo will help evaluate the performance and flexibility of the intermodal model under different operational and logistics requirements.
In the same vein, Felipe Arriagada, General Manager of GEN, underscored the impact these initiatives can have on economic growth and the development of logistics capabilities in Chile.
“We are making concrete progress in the country’s logistics development, creating infrastructure and generating opportunities both for businesses and for Chile as a whole.”
He also noted that:
“This is not the first time that, through our different companies, we have participated in initiatives aimed at advancing logistics development in Chile. We have a significant presence in ports and logistics operations from the Valparaíso Region to the south of the country, including the Biobío and Los Lagos regions.”
One of the pilot project’s main objectives is to generate information that can serve as a foundation for the development of future intermodal transportation solutions in Chile. To achieve this, the Advanced Center for Transportation, Logistics and Economic Competitiveness (CATLEC) will closely monitor the operation using GPS systems and telematics tools, while also assessing the environmental impacts associated with freight transport and the emissions reduction potential of this model.
The initiative also incorporated lessons learned from the 2024 Santiago–Temuco pilot, during which 32,000 liters of beverages were transported through an intermodal rail operation that marked the return of this type of service after more than 15 years. The results of that pilot provided valuable insights for the continued development of more efficient and sustainable logistics alternatives nationwide.
With this new pilot project, AGUNSA strengthened its role as a key player in promoting innovative logistics solutions, contributing to the development of a more integrated, efficient, and resilient transportation network capable of meeting the future challenges of trade, connectivity, and sustainable development in Chile.
“Being part of this project is fully aligned with our purpose: to be present where cargo moves, where logistics challenges exist, and where we can contribute our experience, infrastructure, and capabilities to continue strengthening the development of Chile’s logistics system,” Arriagada concluded.