Uruguay: Montevideo port operators square off

Competition turns aggressive in the large port of Montevieo, as harbor operator Montecon has accused its main rival, Katoen Natie, of trying to build a monopoly over the port through “threats” directed towards the National Port Administration’s (ANP) authorities.

“Katoen Natie doesn’t want any competition, and they have done all they can to stop it.” said Juan Olascanga, General Manager for Montecon. The ANP, he pointed out, owns 20% of the Cuenca de Plata Terminal, of which Katoen Natie is the majority owner.

Katoen Natie responded to the accusations, rejecting them outright and saying that “these come from the Montecon company, which since 2008 has been using public infrastructure without holding any kind of contract, refusing at all times to submit their permits for this use at the Montevideo port to the competitive process required by law.”

Full content: Montevideo

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