Agunsa Targets Valparaíso, San Antonio, and San Vicente Bids

Despite the Chilean economy not being at its best and cargo having followed a stable trend since 2019, Agencias Universales S.A. (Agunsa) expects to close the year with a slightly better result than in 2025. The company will benefit -fundamentally- from greater dynamism in mining logistics, as well as from the performance of the services it provides to the forestry sector.

Matías Laso, Agunsa's General Manager, told PortalPortuario how the firm -originally from Valparaíso- is orienting its activities according to the country's current situation, but without losing sight of future port concessions. In this regard, the executive reaffirmed that the company is interested in the bidding processes for the ports of Valparaíso, where it is already present as a temporary operator of T2 via TPV, San Antonio, and San Vicente.

How does a company like Agunsa view the current port situation in Chile?

The truth is that we are indeed entering the second wave of tenders. This is an area where the first tenders are already beginning to complete 30 years, so a world of new opportunities is coming in this regard. We are expectant about the future.

Where are you seeing these opportunities?

We are interested in the tenders for Valparaíso, San Antonio, and San Vicente; those are the three that are coming in the new process, and I believe all three are very attractive.

The Outer Port has been showing some signs that -perhaps- do not indicate progress, but rather some slowness. How do you view the delays in this project?

If you look at cargo movements. Today, the Valparaíso Region, in total, is moving something very similar to 2019, meaning we have been very stagnant in the last six to seven years. If the country starts to grow, which we are all very expectant for, I would say that we will soon lack port capacity, so it is a "big issue" that projects are delayed.

In your opinion, how soon is that "soon"?

That "soon," I see it as, at least, in five or ten more years, we will have a capacity problem.

Agunsa is a very diverse and broad company. How does this company operate in a situation of economic stagnation and permanent uncertainty?

Just as the country's economy has had things that have been less dynamic, there are others that have been very dynamic and with very interesting projects, such as in mining. Therefore, one of our main focuses is on issues associated with mining logistics.

How has the experience been in this sector further away from the sea?

We have been strongly increasing volumes, increasing the number of clients who have trusted us, so we are happy with those results.

Are you going to deepen your presence in this sector? Where are the biggest opportunities today?

In logistics, but also in port and extra-port activities, obviously.

Despite there not being much cargo?

Indeed, despite there not being much cargo… Where we see slower activity is in deposits. That business is more depressed.

Thinking about the cargo that Chile moves, where do you plan to focus?

As I said, definitely strong in mining, but -in addition- the forestry sector in the Bio Bio Region is an area where we are getting very firmly involved. Today, we are working with CMPC on their logistics, working with papers and cardboard that we are importing, in addition to the logistics of their spare parts and their import cargo.

Chile, as you said, is stagnant, but how is the thermometer for other countries?

In Peru, we have a very large logistics operation with top clients. We are growing very strongly there, and we have an extra-port facility in Peru with a high level of activity, and again, we return to the same topic: Mining, both in Peru, Argentina, and Chile, is coming on very strong.

You have been Agunsa's General Manager for about two years. What has surprised you the most?

Indeed, I arrived at Agunsa a short time ago and was impressed with the level we have in safety in Peru. The truth is it is greater than or equal to what we have in Chile, and my conclusion is that it is not that Chileans are so advanced compared to other countries. On the contrary, we have much to learn from them, but also to be able to bring our good practices to others.

Do you think the extra-port model is one of those good practices?

Yes, I think it has been very observed and very well imitated in other countries. The extra-port model we have today in Chile is exactly the same as exists in Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina, but with some differences that are more typical of the ways Customs operates in those countries, although I would say that -today- Customs are increasingly connected and, therefore, the processes tend to be similar.

What is your outlook for the end of the year?

We hope to end the year above our total activity last year in Chile and, I would say, in the region as well.