Chilean maritime and seafood industry developments

Chile’s maritime and seafood sectors are undergoing various developments related to infrastructure, sustainability, and economic impact.

In the maritime and tourism sector, the Empresa Portuaria Chacabuco and the Municipality of Cisnes announced that the Silversea expedition vessel Silver Cloud will make its first visit to Puerto Cisnes in March 2027. Additionally, MSC Chile is promoting sustainable navigation through its Corredores Azules project to balance economic activity with marine ecosystem preservation.

In the seafood industry, Chile remains a major global player as the world’s second-largest salmon producer and leading exporter of mussels. While high export volumes facilitate global trade, they can lead to domestic challenges such as increased local prices and availability issues. To address these dynamics, SalmonChile is preparing a study titled ‘Economic Contribution of the Salmon Industry in Chile’ to assess the sector’s impact on national GDP, job creation, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Recent initiatives include a public consultation by the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca) to develop a National Policy for the Responsible Consumption of Seafood, aimed at increasing domestic per capita consumption. Furthermore, small-scale artisanal fishing and aquaculture entrepreneurs have begun showcasing products at exhibitions such as Espacio Food Service 2026.

In the broader industrial sector, more than 20 companies at the La Araucanía Industrial and Technological Park are launching an 18-month Clean Production Agreement. This project seeks to establish industrial symbiosis, allowing companies to convert waste into raw materials and share infrastructure, water, and energy to reduce operational costs.