San Antonio, Chile
San Antonio, Chile: A bustling port city renowned for seafood, wine, and scenic coastal views.
Port Overview
The Port of San Antonio is Chile's largest and busiest seaport, located on the central Pacific coast approximately 100-115 kilometers west of Santiago in the Valparaíso Region. It ranks as the 13th busiest port in South America and stands among the top 10 most important container ports in Latin America and the Caribbean. The port handles over 50% of Chile's container traffic and serves as a vital maritime gateway for the country's international trade. With an annual capacity exceeding 1.6 million TEUs, San Antonio specializes in containers, bulk goods, vehicles, and seafood exports, making it essential to Chile's economy and regional commerce.
Facilities & Infrastructure
San Antonio, Chile, features a comprehensive port infrastructure with multiple terminals for containers, bulk, and liquid cargo. The port is equipped with advanced equipment, including cranes and specialized handling machinery. It offers extensive storage facilities, both open and covered, along with efficient internal roadways for cargo movement. The port's strategic location supports significant trade volumes, making it a key maritime hub in South America.
Container Terminals
San Antonio, Chile’s container terminals feature approximately 8 berths, with a total annual capacity exceeding 1.5 million TEU. The terminals employ modern handling equipment and semi-automated processes, but are not fully automated. Major operators include San Antonio Terminal Internacional (STI), DP World San Antonio, and the Costanera terminal. These facilities serve as Chile’s busiest container hub, supporting efficient import and export operations for the region.
Port Services
Main Services at San Antonio, Chile
- Container Handling: Advanced container terminals manage over 1.6 million TEUs annually, with facilities for Newpanamax vessels and efficient loading/unloading operations.
- Cargo Operations: Handles diverse cargo types including containers, bulk goods, vehicles, and liquid bulk (e.g., asphalt, chemicals), supported by modern infrastructure and deep-water berths.
- Ship Services: Offers pilotage, tug assistance, bunkering (by barge), and comprehensive ship chandlery (provisions, bonded stores, safety equipment).
- Warehousing: Provides ample storage areas and bonded/commercial warehouse solutions for cargo consolidation and distribution.
- Customs: Facilitates streamlined customs clearance, compliance assistance, and regulatory oversight to ensure smooth international trade flows.
Global Connectivity
San Antonio, Chile’s largest port, serves as the principal gateway for central Chile, including Santiago and the Valparaíso region. It connects directly with major Asian ports such as Busan, Shanghai, and Ningbo via weekly shipping routes, and links to regional ports in Peru, Ecuador, and Japan. Its robust infrastructure and direct services position it as a key hub for containerized and bulk cargo to and from global markets, especially Asia-Pacific.
Port Statistics
Port of San Antonio, Chile - Key Statistics
Container Throughput: Current capacity of 1.6 million TEU annually at the main container terminal (STI), with expansion plans targeting 6 million TEU once the outer port project is completed.
World Ranking: Recently re-entered the Lloyd's List Top 100 Ports in 2025 after a three-year absence, demonstrating strong growth performance.
Infrastructure: The STI terminal operates 3 berths with depths of 15.5 meters alongside. Maximum vessel size accommodates ships up to 149,000 DWT with 363-meter LOA and 13.5-meter draft.
Location: Situated in Valparaíso Region, approximately 100 km west of Santiago and 60 km south of Valparaíso, serving as Chile's largest and most efficient container port.
