World Maritime University Students Visit Port of San Antonio

A delegation of students from the Master's program in Maritime Affairs with a specialization in Maritime Law and Policy at the World Maritime University (WMU), an institution under the International Maritime Organization (IMO), visited the Port of San Antonio as part of a study trip conducted in Chile.

The activity was part of the international technical cooperation program promoted by the General Directorate of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine (Directemar) and the Chilean Navy, which includes visits to institutions linked to the country's maritime, academic, and port sectors.

The delegation consisted of students from Indonesia, South Korea, the Philippines, Kenya, Ivory Coast, and India, who work in various organizations related to maritime affairs and coast guard services in their respective countries. As part of the visit, they learned firsthand about different aspects of national port and maritime activity and the role of the Maritime Authority in regulating maritime-port activities.

During their time in San Antonio, the students conducted a technical tour of DP World San Antonio's facilities, witnessed the tasks and functions performed by the National Customs Service within the port area for container inspection, sailed through the bay aboard patrol boats of the Maritime Governorate, and visited the corporate building of Puerto San Antonio.

In this last activity, they participated alongside the Port Captain of San Antonio, Frigate Captain Roberto Ascencio, in a presentation on the operation of Chile's main port, its logistical challenges, and the development of the Outer Port project. The presentation was given by Rafael Sánchez, Head of Shipping Coordination at Puerto San Antonio.

Regarding the importance of these types of activities, the Director of Maritime Interests and Aquatic Environment of the Navy, Rear Admiral Daniel González Salinas, highlighted that "instances of this nature are beneficial for showcasing our country's maritime port landscape, thereby contributing to the academic training of students from different parts of the world in a global maritime context, in addition to strengthening the long-standing ties between Chile and the World Maritime University, which have been maintained for more than 35 years."

"This visit, coordinated by the Navy, allowed students to learn firsthand about the operation of the country's main port and the strategic role it plays in Chilean foreign trade, as well as to exchange experiences on governance, port development, and maritime policies," emphasized Fernando Gajardo Vásquez, General Manager (i) of Puerto San Antonio.

Finally, the professor in charge of this study trip, Dr. Khanssa Lagdami, thanked Puerto San Antonio for the visit, highlighting Chile's leadership in port matters in the region, which will undoubtedly contribute to the professional training of the students in this study program.