The Chilean Maritime Authority’s recent call to increase the number of deck and engine officers on vessels operating in Chacao Channel has sparked renewed debate in the southern austral region of Chile. This issue juxtaposes regulatory compliance with the financial sustainability of shipping companies, raising concerns that such changes may lead to increased service tariffs. The modification of Minimum Safety Manning criteria, enacted by the General Directorate of Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine (Directemar), has created a divide between the National Federation of Seafarers (Fenagemar) and the Association of Maritime, Fluvial, Lacustrine, and Tourist Shipping Companies of the Southern Austral Region (Armasur).
Fenagemar has expressed strong opposition to the proposed fare increases, which could reach up to 13.49%. They argue that shipping companies should not transfer operational costs to users who rely on island connectivity. The federation emphasizes that the need for increased manning levels is a direct result of the shipping companies’ long-standing failure to meet safety standards, endangering the lives of passengers and crew.
Conversely, Armasur contends that the current manning levels were established by the Maritime Authority and have been consistently inspected. They argue that the proposed increase in minimum manning lacks technical justification and does not reflect a genuine safety concern. The association insists that any fare hikes are a result of administrative decisions rather than voluntary actions by operators, stressing that safety should not be used as a pretext for imposing higher costs.
As the situation unfolds, the measure is currently under litigation, with shipping companies challenging the authority’s decision in the Courts of Appeals in Puerto Montt and Coyhaique. Both sides await a resolution that will clarify the requirements for safe operations in this vital maritime corridor.
