Port of Arica Dispatched 1,357 Containers in the Week of July 11-17

The Bolivian Port Services Administration (ASP-B) reported that between July 11 and 17, 1,357 containers were dispatched from the Port of Arica. This figure reflects a sustained recovery in the operational capacity of the Chilean port facility to absorb the high demand for Bolivian cargo, which accumulated after the logistical contingency caused by road blockades in the high-altitude country.

"In this context, ASP-B carries out permanent work with Empresa Portuaria Arica (EPA), Terminal Puerto Arica (TPA), the National Customs of Bolivia (AN), the Bolivian Chamber of Transport, and other actors in the logistics chain, promoting measures aimed at increasing the operational capacity of the terminal, enabling extra-port facilities, implementing the Antepuerto (pre-port area), and daily monitoring of dispatch schedules," the Bolivian entity communicated.

"As a result of these efforts, during recent weeks there has been a progressive improvement in the pace of handling Bolivian cargo, with an increase in weekly dispatches from 605 operations during the week of June 20-26, to 1,357 dispatches in the week of July 11-17, reflecting a sustained recovery of the port's operational capacity," it added.

In parallel, ASP-B reported that it continues to make permanent representations to EPA and TPA for the allocation of greater operational resources, actively participating in the meetings of the Integration and Coordination Committee (CIC), which coordinates actions with the AN and competent authorities "to streamline international transit processes, promotes the use of extra-port facilities and the implementation of the Antepuerto," the Bolivian entity stated.

This would also allow for "daily monitoring of dispatch schedules and maintaining permanent coordination with foreign trade operators, transporters, dispatching agencies, and shipping companies, with the purpose of continuing to improve operational efficiency and reduce handling times for Bolivian cargo," it expanded.

"ASP-B reaffirms its commitment to continue strengthening inter-institutional coordination and joint work with all actors in the logistics chain, promoting actions that contribute to optimizing the handling of Bolivian cargo and guaranteeing an increasingly efficient service for national foreign trade," it added.

In this regard, the General Manager of TPA, Camilo Jobet, indicated that the company will continue to reinforce its capacity and advance in normalization, but warned that the complete recovery of the logistics chain does not depend solely on the port. "It requires the commitment and coordination of the different actors involved in Bolivia. This is a challenge that we can only overcome through joint work," he emphasized.

Finally, it should be mentioned that in response to accusations from the Departmental Chamber of Transport of La Paz (Cadetran) regarding delays of up to a week to enter the port facility of Arica, EPA stressed that it maintains its operational optimization plans active to channel the strong flow of Bolivian merchandise.