STI reports a positive balance for 2023, marked by new equipment and leadership at the national level
San Antonio Terminal Internacional (STI) achieved several milestones in 2023. Despite a year of contraction for the industry, STI’s throughput exceeded one million TEUs. The terminal received two STS Super Post Panamax cranes, serviced the largest-capacity vessel in Chile and positioned itself as the only national alternative able to handle two Neo Panamax vessels simultaneously.
STI General Manager Rodrigo Galleguillos remarked, “The efforts of thousands of Chileans set sail daily from this terminal. Operational continuity remains one of the areas where we focus our greatest efforts. The ongoing commitment from all our employees, who work daily to strengthen our port’s leadership, was critical to this process.”
This year, STI’s throughput was 1,006,000 TEUs, surpassing the one million TEUs mark for the twelfth straight year. “This year was challenging. We crossed the one million mark late in the year, despite a drop in volume, thanks to the tireless work of all those who make up our port,” noted Galleguillos.
The terminal has rolled out an intensive investment plan to prepare operations for the future. At the beginning of the year, two Ship To Shore (STS) Super Post Panamax cranes replaced the Paceco cranes that had operated for over 25 years. Consequently, the terminal is the first port in the country to be able to handle two Neo Panamax vessels simultaneously.
These investments will enable annual throughput of up to 1.6 million TEUs. “With this container capacity, STI will surpass the first phase of the Chancay Megaport in terms of size, which, in conjunction with our capacity to handle two Neo Panamax vessels, positions us as the largest and most important terminal in the country,” Galleguillos said.
With the purchase of this new equipment and the proposed concession extension, STI also added two Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes, 19 Reach Staker cranes, 1 Empty Handler and 50 tractor-trailers. These will enable operations to continue focusing on safety, excellence and efficiency to support foreign trade.
The executive added, “We are also preparing for the coming fruit seasons, with a plan to invest more than US$15 million and provide our terminal with 27 new reefer towers.”
Operations
In August, STI serviced the MSC Chiyo, which became the largest capacity vessel to arrive in Chile at 366 meters in length and 51 meters in beam.
Following trial runs in late 2022, the throughput of vehicles with 1,674 flat racks marked another 2023 milestone.
Sustainability
Last year, STI strengthened one of its most important focus areas, sustainability. As evidence, it earned Huella Chile certification for measuring and verifying greenhouse gas emissions for the fifth straight year as well as the new ISO 50001 Energy Management certification. Work on the Port Martyrs’ Plaza remodeling project in Villa Italia, a tribute to all port workers, was also ongoing.
In addition, 100% of the steel from the demolished Paceco cranes was recycled, preventing 2,590 tons of CO2e emissions. The two cranes left a total of 1,342 tons of steel, which Magotteaux revalued, saving the CO2 equivalent of the annual consumption of 562 vehicles or 310 households.
Security
Significant advances in security will enable the incorporation of state-of-the-art technology, like radio frequency identifiers and biometric scanners, to improve security for cargo and access to port facilities. Additionally, in 2023, STI was designated a Strategic Entity, which represents an opportunity to continue collaborating with the Maritime Authority and other authorities as we strive to make facilities increasingly secure.