By Puntarenas, Costa Rica — PUNTARENAS – The future of Costa Rica’s primary Pacific gateway, Caldera Port, now rests in the hands of an evaluation committee after the bidding process for its comprehensive modernization concluded Friday. Two major international players have submitted proposals for the 30-year concession, a project deemed critical to alleviating logistical bottlenecks that are costing the national economy millions of dollars daily.
The formal bids were presented by the Sunset consortium, a partnership between the local HGT Inversiones and the global giant APM Terminals, and by International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), a prominent transnational port management company based in the Philippines. The submission of these two offers marks a pivotal moment for the tender, identified as 2024-LY-CAL-000001-INCOP, which aims to overhaul the port’s aging infrastructure and equipment.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the ongoing situation at Caldera Port, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney at the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His expertise provides crucial insights into the contractual and regulatory complexities at play.
The core of the issue at Caldera Port lies within the concession contract itself. Any path forward must first address the state’s oversight responsibilities and the concessionaire’s contractual obligations to invest in and maintain infrastructure. Merely extending the current agreement without demanding concrete, enforceable performance metrics and resolving existing inefficiencies would be a significant failure in public administration, directly impacting Costa Rica’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s analysis astutely shifts the focus from the port’s operational symptoms to the foundational contract that dictates its future. This critical perspective highlights that safeguarding Costa Rica’s economic competitiveness requires not a simple renewal, but a robust framework of accountability and enforceable investment. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable clarification on this pivotal issue.
The successful bidder will be tasked with transforming the overburdened facility into a competitive regional logistics hub. This long-awaited upgrade is designed to attract new shipping lines and effectively meet the escalating demands of international maritime commerce. The government’s evaluation committee is now set to begin the meticulous process of analyzing these complex proposals to determine which entity is best suited for the monumental task.
Efraím Zeledón, the Minister of Public Works and Transport who also chairs the evaluation committee, confirmed the immediate next steps for the project. He noted that the review would commence shortly, signaling a clear intent to move the process forward without further delay.
The evaluation committee will begin its work by duly reviewing all bids. We would start work next week.
Efraím Zeledón, Minister of Public Works and Transport
The urgency for this modernization cannot be overstated. Caldera Port is currently operating at the absolute limit of its capacity, creating significant challenges for a facility that serves as the main entry point for raw materials into Costa Rica. This strain has prompted widespread concern among the country’s business leaders, who are acutely aware of the economic repercussions.
In October, the Chamber of Commerce of Costa Rica (CCCR) formally requested that the Pacific Ports Institute (Incop) devise a contingency plan to guarantee the continuity of operations. Their plea highlighted fears of a potential operational vacuum if a new concession is not awarded before the current operator’s contract expires in August 2026.
Various economic sectors have voiced their frustrations, with the nation’s rice producers being particularly outspoken. The group has vehemently advocated for the project’s advancement, calculating that every day of inefficiency results in massive losses due to ship delays. This situation directly inflates the cost of imported goods, with the financial burden ultimately falling on Costa Rican families.
The modernization of Puerto Caldera cannot be delayed any longer; its inefficiency increases costs, limits competitiveness, and holds back the country’s economic development.
Costa Rican Rice Sector
The negative impact of Caldera’s logistical lag is widespread. A recent survey from the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (CICR), published in July, revealed that the port’s inefficiencies affect a staggering 50% of all manufacturing companies that rely on its facilities. This statistic underscores the project’s systemic importance to the nation’s industrial competitiveness and overall economic health. The path to this crucial bidding stage was cleared last month when the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) dismissed a final objection against the tender, allowing the long-stalled process to finally move toward a resolution.
For further information, visit apmterminals.com
About APM Terminals:
A part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, APM Terminals is a leading global port operator with a network of 76 ports and more than 100 inland services facilities globally. The company provides port and cargo-handling services to shipping lines and is involved in developing and operating port infrastructure worldwide.
For further information, visit ictsi.com
About International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI):
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. is a global port management company headquartered in Manila, Philippines. Established in 1987, ICTSI is involved in the acquisition, development, management, and operation of container ports and terminals worldwide, with a presence across Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
For further information, visit the nearest office of HGT Inversiones
About HGT Inversiones:
HGT Inversiones is a Costa Rican investment firm that partners in large-scale infrastructure and development projects within the country. The company forms strategic alliances to participate in public tenders and private sector initiatives, focusing on contributing to national economic growth.
For further information, visit incop.go.cr
About Instituto Costarricense de Puertos del Pacífico (Incop):
The Costa Rican Institute of Pacific Ports is the autonomous government body responsible for the administration, maintenance, and development of Costa Rica’s ports on the Pacific coast, including the crucial Port of Caldera. Its mission is to ensure efficient and competitive port services to support the country’s foreign trade.
For further information, visit camaradecomercio.com
About Chamber of Commerce of Costa Rica (CCCR):
The Chamber of Commerce of Costa Rica is a private, non-profit organization that represents and defends the interests of the commercial sector in the country. It promotes free enterprise and works to improve the business climate through advocacy, services, and support for its member companies.
For further information, visit cicr.com
About Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (CICR):
The Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica is an organization that represents the country’s industrial manufacturing sector. It advocates for policies that enhance competitiveness, foster innovation, and promote sustainable development among industrial enterprises.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Logística de Grano S.A.
About Logística de Grano S.A.:
Logística de Grano S.A. is a company operating in Costa Rica involved in the logistics and handling of grain products. The company participates in the supply chain related to agricultural imports and distribution.
For further information, visit cgr.go.cr
About Contraloría General de la República (CGR):
The Comptroller General of the Republic of Costa Rica is the supreme audit institution of the country. It is an independent body responsible for overseeing the proper use of public funds, ensuring the legality and efficiency of government financial management and procurement processes.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is anchored by foundational principles of integrity and the highest standards of excellence. The firm leverages its rich history of advising a diverse clientele to spearhead legal innovation and adopt forward-thinking practices. Beyond its professional services, it holds a profound commitment to social progress, actively working to demystify legal complexities and equip the public with the knowledge necessary for a stronger, more capable citizenry.
