Los tratados de libre comercio y sus efectos en el transporte marítimoel caso de Chile

Resumen

Changing processes in Maritime Transport are generally gradual in time, many variables are relevant, and the study of them is a complex matter, making difficult to identify causes that, years or decades later, produce consequences on maritime transport, affecting a cluster of countries or even entire regions of the planet. On few occasions of history of Maritime Transport it is possible to study, within a brief period of some years, and focused to one country, Chile, the effects of internal policies changing port regulations and free trade agreements with huge commercial blocks, such as the European Union and the United States. The formation of global trade blocks has resulted in rapid changes in trade volumes and routes. Even far from main trade routes and small countries have been able to benefit from this trend for trade globalization. Chile, a country with modest trade a decade ago, has experienced a remarkable increment of foreign trade, in excess of 65 billion of Euros in 2006. Over 95% of this trade is made by sea. Changes and reforms to port regulations took place in the 1990 decade and the results have been gradual. Free Trade Agreements signed with The European Union in 2002 and with the United States in 2003 have placed an enormous pressure on the Chilean Port and Shipping model, exports increment has been notorious, generating an accelerated growth in Maritime Transport. A country with a reduced internal market, such as Chile, requires an active participation on international trade in order to sustain stable growth and employment rates, technological innovation, and efficiency in resources allocation. Chile aims to achieve a multiple and flexible world integration. A participation that allows the country to be actively involved in bilateral and regional integration processes, moreover, it seeks to provide legal and economic assurances to both, Chilean exporters and importers.