Chinese fishing port in Punta Yeguas faces opposition

Local residents and environmental activists have grouped together to stop the development of a duty-free zone west of Montevideo in Punta Yeguas. The US$200m project comprises of a port near the Santa Catalina and Pajas Blancas neighborhoods, a shipyard, and a factory to process and freeze fish. Chinese company, Shandong BaoMa Fisheries Group received authorization to develop the project. 

The proposed development area is alongside the Yeguas Public Park with some of the most beautiful beaches in the city. It is alleged that the port will not only damage the marine ecosystem but also harbor illegal fishing boats. A free-trade zone permits vessels to operate outside the jurisdiction of the government’s control.

Reports suggest scores of Chinese vessels are involved in illegal fishing at the border of Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). These vessels are mainly scouring for squid and use Montevideo port to replenish supplies. According to reports from Oceanosanos and Oceana, Montevideo is the second most visited port in the world by vessels fishing illegally. Recently, the Uruguayan navy intercepted Brazilian vessel ‘Tatura’ for illegal fishing.

Trade relations between China and Uruguay are close. China was Uruguay’s main export destination in 2018, with export revenues exceeding US$2bn. Soybean, wood, premium meat, wool, fish and milk were the main products. The South American country imported motor vehicles, chemical products, and plastics from China.

The following table created using DataLiner shows the number of vessel calls in Montevideo port in the last two years by the operator origins. 

Montevideo Port vessel calls by operator origin | 2017-2018

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