During the day of November 19, in the facilities of the Punta Arenas Naval Base, the progress of the construction project of a new port infrastructure aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Chilean Navy in the Magallanes Region was announced. This work seeks to respond to the strategic challenges facing the region, especially around the Strait of Magellan and Antarctica, in addition to guaranteeing the sustainable development of naval operations in the area.
The project includes the construction of a dock integrated with logistics and transportation systems. “For us it is an important occasion to be able to tell about this tremendous project that the Navy is developing,” said the Commander in Chief of the Third Naval Zone, Rear Admiral Jorge Castillo Fuentes. "The trigger for this need was the arrival of the new icebreaker *Óscar Viel*, which has dimensions much larger than those of our other units. This future port will complement our capabilities on land and guarantee efficient logistical support."
In this context, the naval authority of the southern territory highlighted that to date two milestones have been achieved: financing and the execution of the basic investment study, which will allow the technical details of the project to be defined. “These resources come from the Strategic Capability Law, which complements the need for port development from a defense point of view,” he added.
The Presidential Delegate of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, José Ruiz Pivcevic, valued the joint work between institutions: "Our region faces strategic challenges of a global order, and in the face of this we must have a State vision. This collaboration agreement between the Ministry of Public Works and the Chilean Navy reflects how we can advance concretely in maritime infrastructure to strengthen our capabilities."
For his part, the Seremi of Public Works, José Luis Hernández, highlighted the technical support that his portfolio will provide: "We will be at the side of the Navy in everything related to the development of the project. The basic studies will define the best solution to implement, and we could talk about a dock similar to that of Puerto Williams or Mardones, but that will be determined by the consulting companies.
The dock, the second to be developed by the Chilean Navy after the infrastructure available in Talcahuano, also seeks to reorganize the urban use of the area. According to those responsible for the project, it is planned to move the Tres Puentes passenger terminal, for mainly industrial use, to another sector, integrating this new infrastructure with the Magallanes Marine Area.
This announcement marks a decisive step in strengthening Chile's maritime capabilities in one of the most strategic areas in the world, reaffirming the commitment of the State of Chile to the development of the southernmost region of the country.
