MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Strong warning from Chilean cruise industry representatives to port officials

San Antonio Port is scheduled to receive some 25 cruise vessels this season, involving some 36.000 visitors and crew members

Chilean cruise operators have sent a letter to the administrators of the port of San Antonio warning that if the intermittent service stoppages continue the companies they represent will have to take drastic measures. The current social turmoil and upheaval which has expanded to most of the country are distorting the normal functioning of the economy.

San Antonio is scheduled to receive some 25 cruise vessels this season, involving some 36.000 visitors and crew members and operators are increasingly concerned about the services provided by the San Antonio Puerto Central, PCE, and concessionaries.

The letter to the port authorities is signed by Victor Oelckers, General Manager of Inchcape Shipping Services, and addressed to Roberto Zilleruelo, PCE, CEO.

The letter is supported by the representatives in Chile of Holland America Line, Seabourn Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruises Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Aida Cruises, Cunard UK and Costa Crociere.

In the letter Oelckers points out to Zilleruelo the concern over the stoppage of port activities, which has had a very serious impact on the continuity of operations and the necessary safety for international cruise tourism.

Further it underlines that if new events of strikes take place in the future and they coincide with the dates of cruise calls, this could impede a normal and safe attention of passengers and crew members.

And if this scenario repeats itself, all signatories of the letter, “will regrettably, have to consider and assess the suspension and elimination of San Antonio as a tourism destination, and hub port for the industry, with the negative and permanent consequences for the city and the country”

Oelckers insists that the itinerary of the vessels was outlined two years ago and any modifications imply a very grave situation.

“Any alteration or non compliance with the work programs already confirmed in your terminal, will mean, and without exaggeration, a total disaster, with permanent and catastrophic consequences, since they could mean the elimination of Chile from the cruise industry map”, concludes the letter.