Port of Arica Mobilizes 1.5 Million Tons with 6% Growth

The Port of Arica transferred a total of 1.5 million tons of cargo in the first half of 2026, which implied a 6% growth compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the Empresa Portuaria Arica (EPA). An 18% increase in the number of containers (TEU) mobilized was also established.

"The operational results accumulated up to the first half of 2026 demonstrate the great capacity of the Port of Arica to adapt and move forward, managing to maintain its daily work without stopping despite great difficulties in a particularly complex scenario for the foreign trade of the Andean Macrozone," the state-owned company communicated.

For his part, the General Manager of Empresa Portuaria Arica (EPA), Jorge Cáceres, highlighted the positive figures for the period, emphasizing the growth of the Bolivian market.

As of June 2026, transit cargo to the high-altitude country exceeded 1.1 million tons, representing an 8% increase compared to the same cycle in 2025 and accounting for 73% of the total mobilized by the terminal (+2 percentage points).

Of the total accumulated by the Bolivian market, imports accounted for 42% (with a 40% increase), while exports concentrated the remaining 58% (with an 8% decrease).

The executive attributed this latter setback to the situation in Bolivia, where 52 days of blockades were recorded between January and June. In addition to this contingency, there were 892 hours of port closure due to high seas, one of the highest figures in recent years.

Despite this adverse scenario, Cáceres emphasized that the port facility managed to achieve upward numbers, demonstrating the operational solidity and coordination of the logistics chain between Chile and Bolivia.

"These results are the fruit of the joint work developed by the concessionaire Terminal Puerto Arica, logistics operators, transporters, public services, and port workers, who allowed operations to be sustained even under highly demanding conditions," noted the EPA General Manager.

"The operational results accumulated up to June reflect the adaptability and resilience of the Arica port community. These indicators confirm the strategic role of the Port of Arica as the main logistics platform for Bolivian foreign trade, which is positioned as strategic for the Central Bioceanic Corridor, reinforcing its competitiveness and capacity to respond to scenarios of high demand and operational contingency," he added.

Finally, Cáceres reiterated the commitment - both from EPA and Terminal Puerto Arica (TPA) - to continue working for the strengthening of port infrastructure, operational efficiency, and public-private coordination, fundamental elements to continue consolidating Arica as a reliable gateway for trade in the Andean Macrozone.