Chile: Colsa, Epsa, Asoex, terminals, shipping companies and warehouses coordinate for the high season of fresh fruit shipments

The Logistics Community of San Antonio (COLSA) together with representatives of the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile AG (Asoex), the San Antonio Port Company, terminal concessionaires, warehouses, shipping companies and inspection services met to analyze the next season of the fruit and meet the logistical needs of the export sector.

During the day, which was carried out online, an information survey was carried out on the main fruit exports and estimated dates, especially the projection of cherries, according to the Port Maritime Magazine.

Miguel Canala, general manager of Asoex, indicated that as a group they are working to have normal logistics for this new 2022-23 fruit export season, which is just beginning. For this reason, the manager highlighted, they have held tables with the different actors in the logistics chain, as well as with the government in the Collaborative Logistics Plan (PLC) and other national and international bodies with the purpose of having a successful fruit season.

An increase in the export volume of cherries of 25% is expected for this season compared to the previous year, which requires efficient and expeditious logistics. In global terms, the volumes to be exported of fresh fruits would be the same as the previous year, the difference would be in the increase of cherries and the decrease of blueberries and grapes.

Asoex expressed concern about the possible lack of containers and the operation of the warehouses. Two phenomena are expected for this year, the increase in the volume of cherries and a high pressure to be able to ship as soon as possible, thinking that the Chinese New Year is early (January 22, 2023), which will produce a greater demand regarding the operation of the terminals and the delivery of the containers.

For his part, the president of Asoex, Iván Marambio, stated that the ports are a strategic ally and that they hope to continue working together on all kinds of matters. He added that last season was very complex, but that volume growth was achieved and they expect stability for this season, hopefully on the rise. As an association, the objective is to position Chile as a logistics country worldwide. All these instances of coordination and preparation are what are needed to work together and achieve that goal, explained the president of Asoex.

One of the issues discussed at the meeting was the availability of access to the port, to which Jorge Santos, operations manager of Puerto San Antonio, clarified that there should be no problems.

Likewise, Luis Knaak, general manager of Puerto San Antonio, referred to the flow controller that the port company is developing and that they hope to be able to operate in the second half of next year, that is, for the 2023-2024 season.
Puerto San Antonio and its concessionaires have been prepared to have better capacities and coordinated logistics processes, with greater availability and supported by technologies, however, the terminals state that one of the limiting points, despite the increases achieved, is the height of wave and they hope that they can continue advancing in their increase.

Another of the matters mentioned in the meeting was total integration with the multiport, an issue in which Colsa undertook to manage its progress together with SAG, who also indicated its availability 24/7 as of December for service in Puerto San Antonio.
As for the representatives of shipping companies and warehouses, they indicated that they see this season positively, since they have coordinated to have the necessary reefers in a timely manner and in the case of warehouses, they have increased their equipment, personnel and have scheduling systems, for a more agile operation.

The meeting mentioned the Collaborative Logistics Plan PLC 2022-2023, promoted by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, an instance that generates a space for interest groups to develop actions and contribute with ideas to seek improvements, in this case, within the port logistics chain of San Antonio and thus better face the high season. The Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications was present at the meeting and indicated that, within the framework of the PLC, they will meet in an extended manner with the different actors on November 25 to review progress and discuss specific issues.

Finally, the manager of Colsa, Pilar Larraín, thanked all the actors for their participation and commitment and pointed out the importance of planning the season, identifying the possibilities for improvement and good practices in the logistics chain, as well as being attentive and prepared for complications regarding to the work groups that carry both port workers and transporters with the government.

The Logistics Community of Puerto San Antonio will focus on identifying those interactions that can optimize cargo transfer, which becomes much more feasible with the involvement of all the actors and the development of these instances of collaboration and coordination.

The season began with the export of blueberries and will continue until week 15 of next year.

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