El Salvador: Port La Unión is Inaugurated Amidst Controversy

According to private operators, shipping companies will continue using port Acajutla, so the new port would only generate losses for the Salvadoran state.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The port, completed on January 2008, has been inoperative since then, because it lacks the necessary equipment, and because the government has not yet defined and approved a concession model for a private operator.

So far, CEPA (the ports company), has invested over $7 million in cranes, trucks and forklifts. Even worse, the National Association of Private Companies (ANEP) estimates that the government will lose $40 million in the port during 2010, because shipping companies will continue to operate from port Acajutla.

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More on this topic

Renewed Interest in Puerto La Union

June 2012

Ten international companies have shown interest in operating the Salvadoran port and investing $30 million in renovating its infrastructure.

More than 10 international companies from Europe, Asia, America and Latin America have submitted bids for the administration of Puerto La Union, although the tender process will be carried out during the rest of the year, said Alberto Arene, president of the Executive Committee of Autonomous Ports (CEPA in Spanish).

Two Shipping Lines to Begin Operations in Puerto La Union

September 2011

The companies Hamburg Süd and APL (American President Lines) will start operating at the marine terminal from September 13.

Ships will arrive at the terminal on Tuesdays, with three ships alternating each week.

The President of the Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA), Enrique Córdova, also referred to progress being made in the drafting of the decree to authorize the concession.

Satisfaction with the Puerto La Union Concession Model

June 2011

The private sector has pointed out the constitutionality of the decree and considers that it is conveying the right message to foreign investment.

Representatives of the Foundation for Economic and Social Development (Fusades) and the National Association of Private Enterprise (ANEP), noted that the decree for the concession is focused on and consistent with the goals of economic development.

Government to Award Concession of La Union Port

March 2011

By next week, the government will send to the National Assembly a draft law for the concession of the port of La Union.

The concession is to be developed under the “landlord” format, in which the State retains control and ownership of the assets but delegates responsibility to a private operator in order to develop the business on his own account and risk, stated Salvadoran president Mauricio Funes.

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