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Valparaíso port, unions reach truce on cruise calls

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The Port Company of Valparaíso and union leaders
The Port Company of Valparaíso (EPV) has reached an agreement with all the port workers' unions which puts an end to the conflict that threatened cruise operations and provides for a future dedicated cruise berth.

Under the agreement signed today, the unions agreed to provide a continuous and international standard of attention to cruise ships that call at any of the port's berths, ensuring that any situation that may occur in the future within the port will not affect the passengers or ships related to 'this important industry.'

Further, EPV will draw up an international tender to build a cruise-dedicated berth in the Valparaíso Passenger Terminal sector with the goal of having it operational within 2.5 years. The management of this berth may be public, private or mixed and will depend on the business model adopted.

In addition, the unions and the port company agreed to carry out all possible actions to promote the development of the Port of Valparaíso.

The parties plan to meet every three months to discuss the progress of various projects including the cruise berth and other matters of common interest for the development and modernization of the port.

The agreement was signed by Gonzalo Davagnino Vergara, general manager, EPV, and two dozen labor leaders.

Last season six cruise calls were delayed, disrupted or blocked by port workers in a dispute with the EPV. As a result, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises decided to shift a total of seven calls to nearby San Antonio's Puerto Central, and other cruise lines have been weighing their options.