Chilean Truckers Call National Strike Over Freight Rates and Fuel Costs
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
- mundo maritimoChile: Transportistas anuncian paro nacional en paralelo al término del conflicto de camioneros en San Antonio
- Portal PortuarioCamioneros inician paro por alza en precio del diésel con interrupción de rutas
- jornal portuarioParo camionero motiva desvío de crucero que inauguraría temporada en Puerto de Iquique
- Portal PortuarioParo de camioneros afecta operaciones portuarias a lo largo de Chile
The Fuerza del Norte Truckers' Confederation (CTFN) and the No+TAG movement called a national strike in Chile starting November 10, 2026, demanding improvements in freight rates, fuel prices and tolls. CTFN began the stoppage at 00:00 hours and No+TAG joined at 07:00 hours, while blockades were reported on roads in various parts of the country.
Demands from the organizers
Fuerza del Norte based its call on the sustained rise in diesel prices and the lack of adjustment to freight rates by cargo-generating companies, requesting formal channels of dialogue with authorities and private firms. No+TAG, through its spokesman Andrés Alarcón, demanded changes to the Fuel Price Stabilization Mechanism (MEPCO), the elimination of the specific fuel tax, and changes to highway, TAG and toll contracts.
Background in San Antonio
The strike comes after the end, on Friday, November 6, of the mobilization by independent truckers in San Antonio, which concluded with an 8% adjustment in transport rates, an update mechanism tied to the Transport Cost Index and diesel price variation, plus Corfo financing and a truck enrollment system together with the San Antonio Port Company. That stoppage left around 2,500 containers backed up and more than 500 work shifts lost, and forced cherry shipments bound for China to be diverted from San Antonio to Valparaíso.
Divided unions and official response
The National Confederation of Chilean Truck Owners (CNDC), led by Juan Araya, and the National Confederation of Cargo Transport (CNTC) ruled out joining the strike, warning that it could deepen the sector's difficulties amid a depressed economy and a high dollar. Despite this, unions representing small and medium-sized truckers and intercity bus drivers joined the action, which became indefinite with blockades in Los Ángeles, Osorno and Curicó along Route 5 South. The Government announced a bill for immediate discussion to curb fuel price swings, while the Metropolitan Region's presidential delegate, Germán Codina, called for roads not to be blocked, and the joint Minister of Economy and Mining, Daniel Mas, called for dialogue.
Impact on ports and cruise operations
The blockades affected access to port terminals: in Arica and San Vicente, access was restricted even though internal operations continued, and blockades were expected in Valparaíso and San Antonio coordinated with No+TAG. In Iquique, the Iquique Port Company reported that truck traffic to terminals and depots was blocked, while the cruise ship Viking Polaris, which was due to open the cruise season, had to be diverted, as confirmed by the Agunsa agency, which rescheduled the next call for November 20 with the vessel Viking Octantis. In Coquimbo, cargo operations continued normally.
