Iquique Increases Cargo Transfer by 4% in First Half of 2026

Empresa Portuaria Iquique (EPI) reported that the Port of Iquique closed the first half of 2026 with positive performance in its main operational indicators, consolidating a growth trend above the records of the same period in 2025, a year that constituted a historical milestone for the Iquique port facility.

In terms of tonnage, the accumulated January-June 2026 reached 1,738,135 tons, an increase of 4% compared to the 1,677,488 tons registered in the first half of 2025.

Regarding containers, TEUs moved in the semester reached 224,097 units, a 7% increase compared to 209,610 in the same period of the previous year.

Rubén Castro Hurtado, general manager of Empresa Portuaria Iquique, stated that "these results reflect the responsibility with which we, along with other actors in the logistics system, have approached operational management in the port facility, which has resulted in indicators surpassing those verified last year, a period in which the historical peak of cargo movement was recorded."

"Regarding the difficulties evidenced with Bolivia, we are seeing a respite, although we continue to actively manage the situation, just as we did by enabling a space for the concessionaire to move cargo and allow for the operational continuity of the port," added Castro.

The semester showed solid performance in multiple cargo segments. Automotive cargo recorded a 58% increase, breakbulk or project cargo grew by 41%, and bulk cargo registered a 17% rise, all compared to the first half of 2025. Exports advanced 31% in the period, while imports showed improved performance of 3%.

The transit of cargo to destinations other than Bolivia was one of the most outstanding indicators of the semester, showing an increase of 115%, which reflects the diversification achieved in the client and market portfolio of the Port of Iquique.

Regarding vessel calls, performance was also positive, with a 6% increase in the accumulated total, rising from 174 vessels served in the first half of 2025 to 185 in 2026.

Containerized cargo showed a 3% decrease in the semester, mainly associated with the difficulties faced by the Bolivian market, the main client of the Port of Iquique. Cargo transit to and from Bolivia decreased by 14% in the period. However, June offered encouraging signs with a 3% increase in Bolivian transit, breaking the negative trend of previous months.

June's results reinforced the semester's performance. Monthly tonnage grew 9% compared to the same month in 2025, while vessel calls increased 20%. TEU management advanced 10% in the month, and the breakbulk, automotive, and containerized cargo segments recorded increases of 55%, 38%, and 4%, respectively. Exports for the month were positive at 38%, while goods managed to destinations other than Bolivia rose 103%.

Especially relevant was the contribution of the Multi-Operated Terminal managed by EPI, which in the first half of 2026 achieved a 109% growth in cargo transfer compared to the same period of the previous year, totaling 172,188 in 2026 versus 82,527 in the same period of the preceding year. Regarding vessel calls, it registered a 13% increase, rising from 52 vessels in 2025 to 59 in the first six months of 2026.

In the bulk, breakbulk project cargo, and automotive cargo segments, the Multi-Operated Terminal achieved yields of 564%, 186%, and 58%, respectively, with exports and transit to destinations other than Bolivia also being outstanding performance indicators during the period.