Porto de Iquique exports 32,000 tonnes of metal scrap for recycling in Equador

The Port of Iquique in Chile has launched a large-scale logistics operation to export 32,000 tonnes of discarded metals. The shipment is taking place at Berth 1 of the Molo Terminal, operated by the state-owned Empresa Portuária Iquique (EPI), and marks an effort to diversify the terminal’s activities into non-conventional cargo.

The material is being loaded onto the vessel Top Fair, a ship measuring 190 meters in length (LOA) and 33 meters in beam, sailing under the Panamanian flag. The cargo is destined for a smelter in Ecuador, where the metals will be processed and reintroduced into the production chain under a waste-recovery model.

Logistics challenge and cargo handling

The operation requires precise coordination between land transportation and ship loading. The scrap is hauled by fleets of trucks equipped with mobile dump beds, which unload directly into the vessel. The Top Fair uses its own onboard cranes and five large-capacity cargo holds to maintain operational flow and ensure safety throughout the process.

According to EPI, the shipment underscores the terminal’s versatility in handling specialized cargo and reinforces its role as a multipurpose logistics platform. From an economic standpoint, the operation supports local employment, mobilizing around 15 work shifts throughout the loading period.

Circular economy and partnerships

The export is being carried out by Recmetal, a company specializing in industrial waste management, in partnership with logistics operators MGF and the stevedoring company Ecos Muellaje.

Industry analysts say the initiative reinforces the port system’s commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. By enabling the efficient management of metal waste on a large scale, the Molo Terminal consolidates its position as a strategic hub in regional maritime trade, capable of handling diversified cargo flows beyond traditional regional commodities.

Source: Portal Portuario

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