• 5 min de lectura
• 5 min de lectura
Swells are a climatological phenomenon that directly affects activities carried out at sea, and port operations are no exception. These inclemencies test the infrastructure of Chilean ports and the ability to forecast wave variations, especially in Puerto Valparaíso, which, according to experts, lacks a system for making preventive decisions.
Amidst the II Swell Workshop organized by the Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV), PortalPortuario spoke with Felipe Berríos, maritime advisor and engineer in maritime administration, who addressed the current conditions of national ports to face swells, especially in Valparaíso and San Antonio. He also elaborated on how port facilities are working to obtain more information about forecasts.
What would be the main impact of swells on port activities?
Mainly, it's the vessel's approach, which includes the pilot's boarding, the operation of tugboats, and the berthing and unberthing maneuver; a whole study is carried out to ensure these maneuvers are safe.
On the other hand, we must absolutely forecast, and for that, we need well-calibrated local forecasts through studies, and based on that, ports can design solutions. I insist again on the local issue because there is no transversal solution from Arica to Punta Arenas; essentially, each port must carry out this research individually.
Regarding the Port of San Antonio, what were your experiences with swells, and what things can be improved at the facility?
I think San Antonio was in good shape when I arrived; they started a measurement process many years ago, which allowed us to study, meaning we didn't start from scratch; that's very important. The creation of the maritime area where I worked was developed through consulting with academia and private companies, a very robust forecast system, and that allowed us to know what was going to happen in the port during the next few hours, and we even had forecasts of up to 10 days, which were calibrated as we got closer. In that sense, having real information helped me a lot to carry out development and research.
Clearly, the thousand maneuvers carried out in San Antonio are the great challenge because, ultimately, that's where one has to try to plan in the best possible way to ensure the greatest operational continuity and avoid disruptive events.
I believe that measurement systems are always perfectible and can be strengthened; the more measurement points you have, the better spectrum you will be able to cover. They have a whole challenge ahead with the generation of the Outer Port; they will have to replicate what they currently have and more, because ultimately there will be a challenge for other types of vessels, therefore there is a technical challenge, and they have a lot to do.
In relation to the Port of Valparaíso, it is known that its breakwater is one of the oldest in the country. Do you see it capable of resisting a strong swell episode?
Yes, what I did observe in San Antonio - because with Valparaíso they were complementary in their operation - when we had problems with swells, ships were diverted there, and that's how we complemented each other. Valparaíso has a much better level of protection than other bays in Chile.
However, I believe that despite having a large amount of information, there is no robust development for preventive operational decision-making regarding swell events because they don't affect it as much; it hasn't been developed as it should be.
In San Antonio, we had a significant number of port closures due to swells during the year, and Valparaíso only had temporary closures or when there were northwest swells, so I believe the challenge is to better develop methods to obtain data and better forecasts.
What characteristics should Chile's sheltered waters have to reduce the effect of these events?
In general, the ports are well located because older generations knew very well where to install them. If we look at the bays, all are protected from the south wind, but the shelter works and the engineering applied to those areas should consider these events that we are analyzing, such as what happened in 2015 and 2024; there wasn't much record of that. Therefore, they should consider larger volume breakwaters like what will be built in San Antonio.
It is also important to observe the structure built in the Port of Mejillones, which has giant protective dolphins. The docks are not built that way for no reason; there is a whole study to protect the vessel during its loading and unloading operations.
Could a swell phenomenon with the climatological characteristics present in Chile cause a serious accident in a port maneuver?
Yes, however, I am convinced that in forecast systems, we have reached such a level of sophistication that this allows us to have reliable information that the maritime authority has at its disposal to make good operational decisions, and the interesting thing is the governance that exists based on that. When the port captain conducts an analysis in conjunction with port companies, in parallel with terminals, pilots, and tugboats; the risk can be minimized. I believe we are on a good path.
