Punta Arenas prepares to reactivate commercial route with Falkland Islands

Punta Arenas is preparing to reactivate a historic commercial maritime route with the Falkland Islands, a connection that has been closed for nearly two decades. The initiative is being driven by Naviera Easter Island, with General Manager Pablo Pacheco Mancilla leading the efforts to reopen the corridor.

The project aims to establish an initial monthly voyage departing from the Mardones pier in Punta Arenas, with a transit time estimated between two and a half to three days. The company anticipates that restoring this route could generate approximately US$20 million in annual commercial exchange, which is currently largely channeled through Montevideo.

Beyond cargo transport, the initiative seeks to establish a local presence for the shipping company and create roughly ten direct jobs, alongside indirect employment in logistics, supply, and port operations. The goal is to strengthen Punta Arenas's role as a southern logistics and port platform.