Cruise: Valparaiso

Chile: New Cruise Terminal for Valparaíso

Cruise ship docked at Valparaiso

Photo/Valparaíso Terminal de Pasajeros

Construction is set to begin this September on a new cruise terminal at the Port of Valparaiso.

The contract was finalized July 8 by Chilean Transport Minister Andrés Gómez-Lobo in a ceremony attended by various government and port officials, including Raúl Urzúa and Gonzalo Davagnino, chairman and general manager, respectively of Empresa Portuaria Valparaiso (EPV). Mr. Urzúa served as AAPA Chairman of the Board in 1993-94.

The passenger terminal is a project of EPV concessionaire Valparaíso Terminal de Pasajeros (VTP), a subsidiary of the port services conglomerate Grupo Agunsa.

The port says the new terminal responds to current and future needs of the cruise market, tourism, and the city of Valparaiso. Plans call for completion of the $7 million project in time for the 2016-17 cruise season.

The Chilean cruise season generally runs from October to April, spring to fall in the Southern Hemisphere. During the 2014-15 season, Valparaiso welcomed 66,674 revenue passengers and 33 ship calls, many on turn-around voyages sailing between Valparaiso and Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro via Cape Horn.

The 42 calls scheduled for 2015-16 include vessels operated by Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess, Residensea, Royal Caribbean and Silversea.

Valparaiso’s current cruise complex consists of a passenger processing facility. Passengers and their baggage are transferred by bus and truck the 2-kilometer distance between the passenger facility and the cruise ship docking area adjacent to the Valparaiso container terminal.

The new terminal will occupy 5,237 square meters and constructed of steel beams, concrete and laminated wood. It will be accessible to the Metro Valparaiso subway system and the scenic Puerto Baron coastal pathway. Parking will be available for 26 buses and 47 other vehicles.

The terminal is expected to create 300 jobs during construction and when in operation. During the off-season, from April to October, it will be available for conventions and other public events.