MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Pta. Arenas season: 64 cruise calls and 41,980 visitors

The Punta Arenas port authorities (Empresa Portuaria Austral) described the last cruise season that concluded April 17 as a great success with 64 calls from foreign vessels and 30 from the local “Mare Australis”. Seventeen of the calls were during January and February, the months of most activity.

The 373 meters long Arturo Prat pier in Punta Arenas saw the docking of 37 cruise vessels, the Santos Maradones terminal 17 and in Puerto Natales there were four calls.

As to the number of cruise visitors, according to EPA, from November 2003 to March 2004, they totalled 41,980.

A report from EPA indicates that these numbers "make us the main terminal in the south of Chile and (South) America".

Among the main and largest cruises to call in Punta Arenas the report names, "Infinity", "Crystal Symphony" and "Seven Seas Mariner".

In related news Chilean Economy Ministry regional representative in Magallanes Bernardo Troncoso supported the creation of a committee to analyze Punta Arenas port rates and charges for cruise vessels, particularly compared to similar costs in the Argentine port of Ushuaia.

However Mr. Troncoso pointed out that Punta Arenas port costs managed by Empresa Portuaria Austral, EPA, "are similar to those in Ushuaia", but it's in the "additional costs and charges such as tugs, pilots and private operators" where the big difference is.

Taking this into account Mr. Troncoso suggested that the committee should be made up with representatives from government, the Navy, private operators and the pilots association (mostly former Navy officers).

"If we compare ourselves with other ports, Punta Arenas has very competitive prices, but with Ushuaia it's a good idea to reactivate a committee to review the whole process", said Mr. Troncoso adding that the signalling and lighthouse service, "quiet a complex issue" should also be considered with the Chilean Defence Ministry.