Identifying and quantifying the main bottlenecks in the port-logistics system and establishing a roadmap to strengthen Tarapacá's competitiveness in the face of international trade challenges are essential parts of the tender process initiated by Empresa Portuaria Iquique.
With the projected growth of activity in South America and the opportunities opened by bioceanic corridors, Empresa Portuaria Iquique (EPI) will promote a Comprehensive Study that will allow defining investment priorities for the coming years.
The initiative comes at a key moment for the region. The port, which is one of Tarapacá's main economic drivers, plays a strategic role in cargo transfer, articulation with the Iquique Free Trade Zone (ZOFRI), and connection with national and international markets.
However, the expected growth in demand raises relevant questions for the future. Will the capacity of the docks be the main limit to the system's expansion? Will road accesses require improvements before new port works? The research will be carried out over one year and will cover not only the port facility but also its immediate logistical environment, the operation of public services linked to foreign trade, and the functional relationship with ZOFRI.
The objective: to build a solid technical basis that allows for more certain decision-making and supports future initiatives under the standards of the National Investment System (SNI). Among the aspects to be analyzed are the cargo transfer capacity at the docks, storage areas, truck accesses, availability of land for logistical support, and the institutional conditions necessary to improve the efficiency of the regional logistics chain.
One of the most relevant elements will be the analysis of the potential impact of the Capricorn Bioceanic Corridor, a South American integration initiative that seeks to strengthen commercial connection between Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile.
Beyond its technical results, the initiative seeks to generate an integrated vision of port and logistical development, incorporating operational, urban, environmental, and institutional variables. The goal is to move towards a more efficient system, capable of responding to the demands of foreign trade and consolidating Iquique's role as a strategic platform for northern Chile and the Southern Cone.
