Original article: Se tensa paro camionero en San Antonio: rechazan $1.000 extra por viaje y advierten posible impacto en exportaciones de fruta

Tensions Rise as Truckers Strike Continues in San Antonio Over Insufficient Pay Increase, Warning of Fruit Export Impact

Five days into the indefinite strike by truckers in San Antonio, negotiations have stalled, increasing tensions after independent carriers rejected an offer of an extra $1.00 per trip, deeming it «a mockery» and warning of the potential impact on fruit exports.

Manuel Araya, president of the Independent Truckers Association of San Antonio (Agreporsai), which initiated the mobilization on October 28, was clear about the status of talks: «The negotiation table is at zero».

He noted that the only tangible proposal on the table came from the shipping company MAERSK, which offered an increase of 1,000 pesos per trip.

«It is unnecessary to say that this does not help much. In fact, it is offensive,» the leader stated.

With over 150 transporters mobilized, access to various off-port facilities remains blocked, including Sitrans, Agunsa, and D&C, preventing trucks from entering or leaving the country’s main port.

The protest was called to oppose the rise in fuel prices and the lack of government measures to mitigate increasing operational costs. The sector’s demands include updating freight rates, which have been frozen for years while diesel prices nearly doubled since 2022; the removal of four new TAG gates installed on Route 78; and for negotiations to be led by a government authority in San Antonio rather than in Santiago.

Impact on Fruit Exports

The Agreporsai leader issued a warning aimed directly at the most critical point of the export calendar: «We know that fruit season is approaching, and the world will be watching Chile, but our guild can no longer hold out. If we have to block the fruit, we will do it.»

This situation becomes crucial considering that during the 2025-2026 season, San Antonio shipped over 16,500 containers of cherries to China, peaking in November and December, through STI and DP World, the same terminals currently affected.

A blockade during these weeks could lead to serious delays and compromise shipments scheduled for the Asian market before the Chinese New Year.

Saturated Terminals and Stalled Dialogue

According to the association, the strike has prevented the entry of more than 3,000 containers into the port and the exit of a similar number. DP World and STI are operating above their normal saturation levels, with nearly 200 machines remaining halted.

The Undersecretary of Economy, Karlfranz Koehler, insists on characterizing the conflict as a private issue, although he committed to facilitating dialogue with the dry port companies.

Regional presidential delegate Manuel Millones provided his perspective on the situation, emphasizing that, «even in a private conflict, the government has been present to assist in finding a swift resolution.»

He mentioned that prolonged negotiations with the affected companies were mediated through the Ministry of Economy and the Provincial Presidential Delegation, resulting in minimal progress, such as the commitment to study a rate increase proposal and consider direct hiring without intermediaries. However, the ground forces rejected the proposal.

«The companies had requested to release the off-port warehouses while only keeping the deposits closed, a point rejected by the protesters, maintaining total blockage,» G5 Noticias reported.

Millones warned about the urgency of the situation: «Time is running out, and the economic impacts are imminent, especially regarding perishable goods, which have extremely tight dispatch deadlines.» He added: «If we do not see any openness within a reasonable timeframe, we will have to implement various contingency measures. Nonetheless, we remain confident that maturity will prevail among the parties to reach an agreement that definitively ends this strike.»

For his part, Araya reiterated that the mobilization will continue indefinitely until concrete responses are obtained and requested the presence of a government representative in the municipality.

Featured image: Radio Melipilla Tropical