Tide vs. Time: Reinventing Ports in the Age of Climate Change

San Antonio, Chile’s busiest port, is under siege. Each year, towering waves crash over its sea wall, forcing operations to halt and leaving vessels stranded. With 270 ships affected annually and losses reaching up to $150,000 per day per vessel, the urgency for action is real. The cause? Intensifying storm surges and rising sea levels—undeniable symptoms of climate change.

Climatologists, link the increasing ocean temperatures to these more frequent and violent waves. Ports like San Antonio, Callao, Manta, and Antofagasta have become climate frontline zones, bearing the brunt of nature’s wrath without natural barriers.

The response? Reinforcement. San Antonio is undergoing an $11 million upgrade, expanding its breakwater and installing curved, wave-breaking blocks. The investment is already paying off—downtime dropped from 47 days in 2023 to 30 in 2024. Peru’s Chancay megaport boasts a massive three-kilometer breakwater, while Callao’s defenses stand 13 meters high. Even Ecuador’s Manta port, a key tuna export hub, admits adaptation is now critical.

While infrastructure upgrades help, experts warn they may not be enough. "A lot of money will have to be invested," says Cordero, as these surges are here to stay. For coastal engineers and civil planners, the message is clear: adapt fast or fall behind.