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Following the recent formalization of the loan granted by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) to the San Antonio Port Company (EPSA) to finance the enabling works of the Outer Port, the international institution confirmed its interest in continuing to support the project's financing in its future stages.
It is worth remembering that CAF had initially approved a loan of up to USD 150 million; however, according to EPSA's budgetary needs for the 2026-2027 period, a USD 50 million operation was executed with the possibility of extension.
After the official credit signing ceremony, PortalPortuario spoke with Julián Suárez, CAF's representative in Chile, who provided details about this fund provision and the importance for the institution to collaborate on an initiative of this nature.
Regarding CAF's participation and the relevance of San Antonio's future new infrastructure, Suárez assured that "we are accompanying a strategic and long-term project that will reconfigure the logistics and transport agenda of Chile and all of South America. The San Antonio Outer Port will triple the cargo it currently mobilizes and will make it possible not only to strengthen Chile's logistical and commercial activity, particularly in its central macro-zone, but also throughout the bi-oceanic corridor that links Atlantic countries with a timely outlet to the Pacific."
Furthermore, the CAF representative added that "it is a very important milestone that a first loan of up to USD 50 million could be signed for what is called the 'stage zero' of the project. These are basically enabling works so that the breakwater can then be built, along with the port terminals that will be developed with private investment."
In relation to the credit's characteristics, Julián Suárez specified that "initially, we approved a financing operation of up to USD 150 million. What happens is that, understanding EPSA's financing needs for the 2026-2027 period, this has been reviewed for an operation that addresses those needs for these two years, and that is consistent with the USD 50 million. Without prejudice, of course, CAF is available to continue supporting in the future."
Suárez also highlighted the relevance of the project's recent approval of the Environmental Qualification Resolution (RCA), a milestone that increases the viability of the initiative and future concessions of new loans.
"Having obtained the Environmental Qualification Resolution, this milestone that endorses a project as strategic as the new San Antonio Outer Port, we are at the disposal of the priorities that the State of Chile has to work with CAF. If this is 150 million or more, we are available to discuss it," the executive added.
In addition, Suárez took the opportunity to reiterate that "the needs for the aforementioned period are covered, and afterwards we will accompany the company in whatever is required, including reviewing what the different financing alternatives or schemes are that are most useful for the State of Chile and for the company in particular."
Along with announcing the credit, the CAF representative used the occasion to confirm the delivery of USD 100,000 to the Municipality of San Antonio in the form of non-reimbursable technical assistance with the aim of preparing the commune for the changes that the project's realization will entail.
"We could say it's at the donation level; this is to strengthen the management capacities of a city - in terms of urban development - that will grow very significantly. In the construction of the Outer Port, there is talk of generating approximately 4,000 to 5,000 jobs, but once the project becomes a reality, the volume of trade that the port will move will triple, consequently, there will be a very significant dynamism in this area," he indicated.
At the same time, Suárez remarked that "it is pertinent, in a first stage, to provide this non-reimbursable technical support so that the commune of San Antonio can prepare for what will become a reality in the coming years."
Additionally, it was reported that CAF will provide USD 1.5 million to EPSA as non-reimbursable technical cooperation to study commercial dynamics in the bi-oceanic corridor/Atlantic ports, but especially, that of San Antonio/Cuyo Logistics Region (Argentina).
Source: Portal Portuario
