The Port Administration of Puerto Madryn extended its Cruise Promotional Regime for two additional seasons. The measure seeks to consolidate the destination within international itineraries, promote new calls, and support the blue transformation process that the port has been developing, in accordance with the Government of Chubut’s plan to strengthen the port, tourism, and productive activity of that Argentine province.
In this way, the body approved a resolution extending the measure for the /2028 and /2029 seasons, as a result of the positive results recorded in recent years.
The initiative includes a series of benefits aimed at stimulating the arrival of tourist ships, providing greater predictability to shipping companies, and boosting the economic impact that the activity generates in Puerto Madryn and throughout the region.
Among the planned measures are discounts for recurring calls, incentives for companies that increase the number of calls compared to previous seasons, benefits for larger vessels, and special bonuses for ships that remain in port for more than 24 hours.
In this framework, discounts of up to 20% on the Port Use Fee are established for companies with six or more calls per season, an additional 5% benefit for shipping companies that increase their activity compared to the previous season, and a special regime to encourage extended stays, which can reach a 100% bonus on the fee corresponding to the second day of stay for certain vessels.
Likewise, the regulation sets a cap of 60,000 net registered tons for calculating the Port Use Fee, favoring the operation of higher-capacity vessels and strengthening the competitiveness of Puerto Madryn compared to other destinations in the region.
Referring to the measure, the administrator of the APPM, Sergio Bustos, highlighted that “the extension of this promotional regime reflects a strategic decision to continue strengthening the competitiveness of Puerto Madryn within international cruise itineraries. Our objective is to generate conditions that encourage new calls, promote longer stays, and contribute to the growth of an activity that generates employment, economic movement, and development for the entire region.”
Bustos also emphasized that “Puerto Madryn has managed to consolidate itself as one of the most valued destinations in Patagonia, and from the Port Administration we will continue working together with the public and private sector to enhance that position, supporting a vision of sustainable, orderly development with a positive impact for the community.”
The measure is also part of the progress that the APPM has been making in its transformation process towards a blue port, incorporating criteria of sustainability and continuous improvement in port management.
In this sense, the terminal has been working on strengthening a blue agenda aimed at reconciling economic development with environmental care, integration with the community, and the consolidation of good practices related to port activity, in accordance with the guidelines of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).
The international cruise industry positively valued the initiative.
Marco Ferraz, presidente ejecutivo de CLIA Brasil, señaló que “la decisión de la Administración Portuaria de Puerto Madryn de extender este régimen de incentivos constituye una señal concreta de apoyo al desarrollo de la actividad de cruceros. Se trata de una herramienta que mejora la competitividad del destino, brinda previsibilidad a las compañías y contribuye a fortalecer la presencia de Puerto Madryn dentro de los itinerarios internacionales”.
Según las previsiones actuales, ya se encuentran anunciadas 37 recaladas para la temporada /2028 y 27 para /2029, cifras que reflejan el interés de las compañías por continuar operando en el destino y la confianza del sector en las condiciones que ofrece Puerto Madryn.
