Puerto de Iquique records cargo growth despite Bolivian route blockades

The Port of Iquique reported a 5% year‑on‑year increase in cargo tonnage for May 2026, moving 324,347 tonnes, and a 3% rise in total tonnage from January to May compared with the same period in 2025. Container traffic also grew, with 40,883 TEUs handled in May, a 7% increase over the previous year, while automotive cargo surged by 115% year‑on‑year. Export volumes rose 34% and imports 6% over the same month.

General manager Rubén Castro Hurtado attributed the positive performance to diversified cargo handling and a continuity plan that mitigated the impact of seven‑week road blockades in Bolivia, the port’s main hinterland market. Those disruptions caused a 17% decline in Bolivian‑origin cargo in May, but the port’s multi‑operator terminal saw a 24% monthly increase and a 478% rise in tonnage to non‑Bolivian destinations over the January‑May period.

The results underline the port’s resilience and its role in regional trade despite logistical challenges affecting Bolivia’s supply routes.