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The first records of the port of Valparaiso date from 1810, with the construction of the first dock to serve cargo ships

Over a long period, the port was managed by different companies, until April 6TH, 1960, when the Empresa Portuaria de Chile (Emporchi) was created , to operate and manage it.
 

HISTORY

The 1980's brought about a process of modernization, which resulted in the construction of new platforms, purchase of equipment, and involvement of the private sector in the movement of cargo operations.

The earthquake of March 3, 1985 severely affected this process, and the repair of facilities damaged was only completed on January 1999.

Meanwhile, Chilean foreign trade growth and technological developments in shipping brought about the need for greater investment in infrastructure and equipment. This was left to private entrepreneurs. To encourage private investment, the government pushed the law 19,542 which was designed to transform the ten ports under state administration of Emporchi into an autonomous enterprise by granting concessions.

On December 19, 1997 that law was published in the Official gazette, and on January 31, 1998 EPV was legally created.
In late 1999,t he first front mooring concession was granted, including docks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, ,involving about 80 %of the cargo turnover.

The process ended with a 20 year lease , which can be expanded to 30, granted to Cosmos Investments, a Chilean –German joint venture, belonging to the Von Appen shipping company, and Hamburger Hafen und Lagerhaus Aktiengesellschaft (HHLA). This corporation created as company under the name of Terminal Pacifico Sur Valparaiso (TPSV) ,which began to operate the terminal on January 1, 2000.

At the same time, EPV continues to operate docks 6, 7 and 8, located on the jetty, where the remaining 20% of the cargo is dealt with, as well as sites 9 and 10, now turned into a recreation area called Paseo Muelle Baron.

Timeline
  • 1810: The first dock was built to handle cargo ships.
  • 1832 : The first naval warehouse starts operating in the Port of Valparaiso.
  • 1876: Construction of the first pier, the first important infrastructure built for this purpose.
  • 1884: Inauguration of Prat Pier, built to serve passenger ships.
  • 1930: the building of the current sheltered mole is completed
  • 1960: Empresa Portuaria de Chile (EMPORCHI) is created ,by Official Decree Nr 290,for the administration, operation and maintenance of ports in the country.
  • 1981: A law is passed to regulate port management in the country in which it is stated that, 11 of the 38 Chilean ports are state owned, managed by Emporchi, and the remaining 27 are to be run by private companies.
  • 1985: Earthquake causes serious damage to infrastructure
  • 1986: Pier reconstruction begins ,
  • 1993: Old warehouses are demolished and new platforms are built in Terminal 1.
  • 1995: Docks 1, 2 and 3 are remodeled.
  • 1996: Inauguration of first outer port in Placilla
  • 1997: Enactment of Law 19,542 of port modernization, designed to transform the ten ports under state administration of Emporchi , into autonomous State owned Companies.
  • 1998:Empresa Portuaria de Valparaiso is created (EPV)
  • 1999: End of the remodeling of docks1, 2 and 3 of the port of Valparaiso
  • 1999: The first front docking lease is granted to Terminal Pacifico Sur Valparaiso S,A consisting of docks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
  • 2000: Demolition of warehouses and building of new platforms in Terminal 2.
  • 2002: Transformation of Baron Pier in a pedestrian area, first milestone of the opening of the coastal area of Valparaiso to the public.
  • 2002: Construction and operation of the first passenger terminal building in the country. Is leased to Valparaiso Terminal de Pasajeros S.A company.
  • 2004: Inauguration of a marina at Baron Pier.
  • 2006: Paseo Costanera Opens to the community, situated between France and Edwards Avenue; it is 431 meters long, located on land port along the breakwater.
  • 2006: Initiates construction of the Logistics Support Extension Area, zeal.
  • 2006: The proposed opening and transformation of the coastal edge of Valparaiso, Puerto Baron is awarded the Plaza Valparaiso Society.
  • 2006: Puerto Valparaiso recorded during the year a historic growth of 40% compared to 2005, with 7.9 million tons transferred.
  • 2007: The concession for the provision of infrastructure, equipment and provision of basic services in the Logistics Support Extension Area(Zeal) ,is leased to ZEAL,Sociedad Concesionaria S.A