Chilean Port update

- Following the recent earthquake, Hamburg Süd has provided an update on the Chilean ports it serves.

In the north of Chile, the ports of Iquique, Antofagasta and Port Angamos are fully operational.

In Valparaiso the TPSV container terminal used by Hamburg Süd, has announced that it is 90% operational with respect to dry and reefer cargoes. Container berths 1, 2, 3 are operational, whilst the older berths 4, 5 and 7 are not operating due to various structural damage.

TPSV is maintaining an emergency berthing programme: temporarily suspending agreed berthing windows to ensure efficient port operation and allocating berths on a first come, first served basis. The terminal is still servicing Navy vessels that carry supplies to the areas affected by the earthquake and the subsequent tsunami in the south of Chile.

In San Antonio the STI terminal where Hamburg Süd operates has officially announced that the dock infrastructure did not suffer any serious damage that could limit normal terminal operation. As of 14:00 hours on March 2, the terminal was allowed by maritime authorities to operate geared ships. However, as of the morning of March 3, STI remains without the power necessary to move ground resources such as gantry cranes, or to supply electrical power to reefer containers.

In San Vicente (SVE) and Lirquen (LQN), no official information is available yet about the physical condition of the San Vicente terminal. However, unconfirmed reports indicate that the terminal has not sustained serious damage to the berths and that the shore cranes are still subject to a technical review. The terminal yard was flooded and may have cracks and other major surface damage. The terminal is not expected to operate this week.

No official information is yet available about conditions at the Lirquen terminal. First indications are that the pier and shore cranes are in generally good condition but subject to a technical review. The yard was flooded and may have cracks and other major surface damage. The Lirquen terminal is also not expected to operate this week.

(Source: Container Management)