Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is advising of a change in berth priority at Terminal Pacifico Sur (TPS) Valparaiso Port, Chile, which will affect the 2016-2017 Cruise Season.Following the announcement by Puerto Valparaiso, container ships will now have first priority by contract, not cruise ships as currently. Based on the new criteria, it is anticipated that several cruise ships will not have berths available during the next cruise season and could need to find an alternative solution.
The change follows increased competition in cargo between port operators in South America, especially those in Chile and Peru. The new change will enable TPS terminal to handle larger vessels and volumes.
ISS Chile is working with its cruise clients to find alternative berthing solutions as necessary to minimise impact of this change. Valparaiso has 40 port calls by cruise vessels scheduled for Season 2016/2017, with 30 at the TPS terminal.
