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Valparaíso is formulating new berthing policy

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Valparaíso's new cruise terminal is due for completion in mid-September (Photo courtesy Corporación de Puertos del Conosur)
Chile's leading cruise port, Valparaíso, is developing a new berthing policy aimed at maximizing terminal usage by cruise and cargo ships. The policy, to be communicated 'very soon,' maintains Valparaíso's commitment to berth up to two cruise ships per day while maximizing the use of all the port's docks, according to Gonzalo Davagnino V., general manager.

Valparaíso's new cruise terminal is scheduled to begin operating in mid-September, in time for the cruise season.

Davagnino said the new berthing policy aims to maintain the 'equilibrium between our terminals.' It will add 'clarity, balance and efficiency of operation.'

The forthcoming policy will detail how berthing requests should be made, spells out the maximum time terminals have to confirm bookings with ship's agents and their clients and sets conditions for the vessel's operating window in port.

Last week Inchcape Shipping Services issued a port alert stating that a change in berthing policy at Terminal Pacifico Sur would impact the 2016/17 cruise season. It said container ships will get priority by contract, not cruise ships as currently. According to ISS, this change follows increased competition among cargo operators in South America, particularly Chile and Peru, and will enable Terminal Pacifico Sur to handle larger vessels and volumes.

ISS anticipated several cruise ships will not have berths next season and 'could need to find an alternative solution.' The agency said it's working with cruise clients to find alternative berthing arrangements as needed.

Davagnino took issue with that information.

The port director said ISS doesn't have a full picture of the new policy, which is still not formalized. According to him, there are no scheduling conflicts for cruise ships during the 2016/17 season. Conflicts arise when calls are announced late, he said, noting that berthing requests for the coming season were due by June 30, 2015.

Asked for their response, ISS maintained in an email today that as per their July 21 port alert, 'there is still a change in berth priority at Valparaíso port in Chile for the 2016/17 season and container ships (with contract), will have first priority.' The email continued: 'Since our announcement much progress has been made towards resolving future berthing conflicts for the cruise season and all parties are now aiming towards full berth confirmation in the coming weeks.'

Looking to the 2017/18 cruise season, Davagnino said there's a conflict involving three cruise calls, and the port notified the relevant agency and the terminal about this on July 12. So now they need to coordinate to make the necessary adjustments—just in terms of hours, Davagnino said—to ensure use of the berth.

The port director believes the forthcoming policy will improve the system. While details are still to be announced, the aim is to ensure all ships—cargo and cruise—have a reserved berth.

'In general, we can say that Valparaíso Port is making its best efforts to maintain the equilibrium and efficiency of our port, looking for the best interest of the comex (cargo) and tourism (passengers),' Davagnino wrote in an e-mail.