Academics from the Centro de Investigación en Estudios Avanzados del Maule of the Universidad Católica del Maule proposed that the commune of Constitución be the location for a new fishing port and for foreign trade in Chile. The proposal also generated consensus among local parliamentarians and was supported by Universidad de Chile professor Hugo Baesler.
The idea was highlighted during the recent seminar “A Port for Maule: For a developed region and a connected Maule”, where the need to plan for a regional port that enhances connectivity, reduces logistical costs, and strengthens the economic and social development of the territory, which lacks a maritime terminal and airports, was raised.
The director of CIEAM-UCM, Dr. Alex Echeverría Vega, emphasized that the region faces a competitive disadvantage that must be reversed.
“Maule is one of the most isolated areas in terms of connectivity; we have neither an airport nor a port. A port would allow us to generate jobs, link science with its construction, and also plan for a university coastal station that contributes from science to regional development. It is a strategic necessity and a pending opportunity,” he stated.
For her part, the Zonal Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Manira Matamala, underscored that the region’s productive potential supports this need.
“Maule has sufficient material and production to justify a port. In fishing and aquaculture, there are also growth projections, with resources such as cod and albacore that could be processed and exported directly from the region. Of course, we require solid technical and economic background information, but the scenario is favorable,” she stated.
From the technical perspective, Universidad de Chile professor Hugo Baesler recalled that the port of Constitución was part of national planning.
“The State defined five major ports at the time, including Constitución, but there was an error in the original calculations. Today, engineering has the capacity to resolve it. With studies that could take about five years and through a concessions model, this project is feasible. And the cargo will come, because the region has the potential to support it,” he asserted.
The Deputy for Maule, Roberto Celedón, highlighted the historical and future value of the proposal by stating that “the Port of Constitución existed, but it remained in the past. Today we must transform it into the present and future, as a public policy that allows us to move towards a bi-oceanic port and a development hub for Maule and Chile. That UCM and CIEAM are leading this reflection together with other universities is a very relevant step.”
Finally, Senator Paulina Vodanovic called for turning the technical vision into political action. “Our region has no airport or port, despite being an agricultural and agro-industrial powerhouse. Experts have shown that a port in Constitución is possible, and now it is up to politics to generate the conditions and resources to make it a reality. This is an indispensable project for Maule and its national and international projection.”
Also presenting at the seminar were coastal and sedimentation engineer Juan Font, Universidad de Chile academic Francisco Castro, Universidad de Talca academic Roberto Pizarro, and UCM academic Paul Alexander.
