Antofagasta, 21 September 2026.— Puerto Antofagasta presented the technical and administrative details of the Mejoramiento Dragado Puerto Antofagasta tender, corresponding to Public Tender No. 019/26 – Second Call, at a session in Santiago led by its general manager, Carlos Escobar Olguín. The process was launched after the previous call was declared unsuccessful.
The port company outlined the requirements for carrying out the works in sections of the harbour basin and its access channel in a manner compatible with port operations. This coordination was one of the issues discussed with participants, who raised questions about work methodologies, scheduling and the availability of work areas.
“For works of this nature, dredging methodology and work scheduling must be assessed in conjunction with port operations. This planning is essential to coordinate the works with vessel manoeuvres and meet the safety and environmental control requirements set out in the tender documents. We are seeking specialised expertise and technically and economically competitive bids,” said Escobar Olguín.
Scope and bidding options
The project, identified by BIP code 40045648-0, includes an indicative dredging volume of 46,678 cubic metres: 35,568 of sand and sediment and 11,110 of rock. In the access channel, the works include the removal of rocky shoals to improve conditions for maritime access.
For these two types of material, the tender documents allow bids for the entire project or separately for sand or rock. Each company can assess these options according to its specialisation and capacity to carry out the works.
The tender documents establish an optimal reference completion period of 365 calendar days. Monitoring of the works includes bathymetric measurements to determine dredged volumes and verify progress, alongside the environmental control measures specified for their execution.
Puerto Antofagasta incorporates these works into its Master Plan, alongside the expansion of the breakwater, the development of the Zona de Desarrollo Logístico La Negra and the modernisation of Antepuerto Portezuelo. This planning brings together maritime and landside support infrastructure with the aim of doubling the port’s current cargo-handling capacity to reach a potential capacity of 7 million tonnes per year.
Next steps
Companies will be able to seek further information on the process during the second round of enquiries, which will run from 24 to 30 September, with responses from 1 to 7 October, according to the schedule set out in Clarification No. 1. Technical and administrative enquiries must be submitted through the official channels specified in the tender documents.
The receipt and opening of technical bids are scheduled for 20 October, while financial bids will be opened on 27 October 2026.
The tender documents are available for download from the Licitaciones section of the Puerto Antofagasta website.
