U.S. Participation in the Ports Sector in Venezuela: Definitional Report No. 2

You are here: Homepage > Search

U.S. Participation in the Ports Sector in Venezuela: Definitional Report No. 2

P. Jolowicz / V. K. Shrivastava

The ports sector in Venezuela is in a state of flux. The Instituto Nacional de Puertos (INP)(National Ports Institute) which managed all ports is being dissolved. Most of its powers and responsibilities have been transferred to the States. Hence the most significant development in the Venezuelan ports sector in the last year is that the action has shifted from the central Government in Caracas to the various State capitals. The fact next in importance is privatization which has already started to take place under the management of the INP. Cargo is now handled in most ports by private stevedoring companies. Certain activities, such as channel maintenance, nation-wide maritime regulations, aids to navigation, etc. will remain in the hands of the central Government; details are being worked out at this time. A National Ports Fund is also to be established. Its purpose is still being debated. Various U.S. consulting firms were assisting the Government in making the changes. The U.S. involvement in the Venezuelan ports sector goes back many decades, hence the climate for future U.S. participation in the development of the ports is very favorable.