By Gabriel Campos Roullet
In October 2025, the Congress of Chile approved the new Cabotage Law, an initiative that seeks to optimize the logistics chain and multimodal transport in the country. Currently, the competent authorities and a team of consultants are working on drafting the regulations of the aforementioned statute, a process from which the National Association of Shipowners (ANA) claims to have been excluded.
PortalPortuario spoke with Ricardo Tejada, general manager of the shipowners’ association, who addressed -in depth- the challenges of the new legislation and his perspective regarding the proposals of the current Government.
Asked whether his institution was invited to participate in the composition of the regulations of the Cabotage Law, Tejada stated that they have not been part of any conversation or working group, explaining that “we are out, we know that work is being done, that consultations have been made with the Navy, which is mandatory by law. Unfortunately, we have not been able to participate. I wish we could have given our opinion in the process. For the law we were heard, but not as we would have liked.”
Furthermore, the representative of the shipowners indicated that he hopes that during the drafting of the regulations, its main axis will not be touched.
“This regulation is the one that will be applicable to the law promoting the merchant marine that regulates cabotage, we hope that it adheres to the spirit of the law that was approved in Congress and that they do not start looking for loopholes to further favor foreign shipping companies, we hope it is equitable and that a level playing field is achieved,” he noted.
Expectations about the current government
Despite the lack of consideration, so far in the drafting of a key regulation for his sector, Tejada has a positive perspective of the Government of José Antonio Kast. However, the union representative stressed that the priority challenge will be to establish a framework that allows for the realization of long-term investments and projects.
“We need to make things happen. I don’t want such broad plans, because we are full of offers from all governments. Obviously, this government will not be able to execute port infrastructure works because they are very extensive, but it can finalize them with a signature on paper and that will be a tremendous contribution to our country,” specified Tejada.
The general manager of ANA also indicated that it would be important to focus on the development of rail freight transport, adding that “I think the last government made quite a bit of progress, especially in passengers, but we need to advance in cargo. It is vital that a port has multimodality (maritime, land and rail), that is much more economical and will make it more efficient and faster in terms of cargo transport.”
Asked about the possible entry of Chinese capital into the Chilean port industry, Ricardo Tejada was open to foreign investment, provided that national interests are safeguarded. However, he called on the authorities to remain alert to avoid situations like those that occurred at the Port of Chancay, Peru.
“Much is said about foreign investors coming to invest in our country, but above that are the /strategic interests of our country and that is seen by the Government and the Ministry of Defense. It is something that few people handle and it must be regulated and everything must be in writing so that what happens in Peru does not happen, where the Chinese administer their largest port. Perhaps in Chile investment from any country in the world could be allowed, as long as it is not a bastion of foreign sovereignty, but rather a port operation that maintains the interests of the country,” concluded the general manager of the National Association of Shipowners.
