The National Association of Ship Agents (Asonave) warned of damages due to the more than one-week stoppage by casual port workers and, for this reason, expressed concern about the economic and logistical effects being generated by the industrial action impacting Terminal 2 of the Port of Valparaíso.
The Executive Vice President of Asonave, Claudio Morales Vergara, indicated that the strike, which has had various episodes of street violence, “is causing a high cost for Chilean foreign trade, because a fully operational wharf remains immobilized, preventing new ships from docking and affecting the fluidity of port operations.”
Morales explained that the ships scheduled to call at T2 have had to modify their routes or reschedule operations, generating additional costs for waiting, diversion, and fuel consumption, which directly impact the shipping lines and the exporting and importing companies.
“Each day that passes, operations become more expensive and the competitiveness of the Port of Valparaíso is eroded compared to other terminals in the country and the region,” he emphasized.
Likewise, the union representative warned that local commerce is also being affected, as the terminal’s inactivity and the disorder in the streets adjacent to the port hinder traffic, affect the distribution of goods, and jeopardize the safety of pedestrians and drivers.
“Valparaíso cannot afford to have a paralyzed wharf. The losses are substantial, not only for companies but for the entire city, whose commerce and port activity are pillars of its development,” stated the Executive Vice President of Asonave.
Finally, the Ship Agents’ Union called on the competent authorities, the workers, and the concessionaires to reestablish dialogue and prioritize the country’s interest, warning that a prolongation of the conflict could generate structural damage to the port system and a loss of confidence in Valparaíso as an efficient and reliable port for Chilean foreign trade.
“We call on the authorities to restore order and guarantee that workers who do wish to operate can access the port without inconvenience,” he concluded.
It is worth mentioning that the leaders of the Valparaíso Stevedores’ Union, which provides workers to the two terminals of the Port of Valparaíso, reached an agreement with Ultraport (T1) two weeks ago and more recently with Report, a stevedoring company that serves the TPV. However, the rank and file rejected the pact, demanding the reinstatement of workers who had been dismissed.
