MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Punta Arenas optimistic about the coming 2019/20 cruise season

The Chilean port during a busy summer day

Punta Arenas port authorities, in the extreme south of Chile, are optimistic about the coming cruise season and its impact on the local economy.

According to the Austral Port Company, the last 2018/19 cruise season was satisfactory but the coming one is even more encouraging, since 160 calls are scheduled between next October and March 2020, with an estimated 100.000 passengers.

This compares to the 135 calls and 70.000 visitors of the last season, and can be anticipated as a 40% increase, which again confirms Punta Arenas as the leading cruise hub in Chile.

For this season Punta Arenas port has acquired a docking dolphin, which will help with vessels up to 250 meters long. Likewise one of the jetties has undergone a structural investment, some US$ 3 million that will help with even larger cruises.