By: Erika Sáenz, Commercial Manager of International Line
Uruguay has established itself as a highly attractive regional logistics hub, particularly for Chilean companies, due to a combination of strategic factors: its location between Brazil and Argentina, an efficient free zone system, and top-tier port infrastructure with 24/7 operations.
This is complemented by its renowned legal and political stability, which provides security for investments and facilitates high-value-added regional operations. Additionally, it offers tax benefits that allow companies to maintain inventory stock indefinitely.
“The role of Chilean logistics companies should shift from local operators to regional integrators, positioning themselves as key players in a more integrated, competitive, and resilient South American logistics network.”
From our sector, we observe how an increasing number of Chilean companies are betting on Uruguay as a platform to optimize their logistics and expand toward the Southern Cone and extra-regional markets.
One of the most representative sectors in this ecosystem is pharmaceuticals, with specialized free zones like Parque de las Ciencias, which hosts international laboratories and operations for storage, relabeling, and distribution under the highest standards of quality and traceability.
This, combined with the quality of local technical talent, enables Uruguay to efficiently supply countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Chile. Additionally, sectors like agribusiness, biotechnology, pulp, technology, and advanced logistics reinforce Uruguay’s positioning as a reliable, competitive logistics hub with a clear international vision.
Thus, Chilean logistics companies have a significant strategic opportunity to integrate and strengthen the regional logistics ecosystem by using Uruguay as a platform. Their role can focus on several key areas:
Connectivity and complementarity: Act as a link between cargo flows to/from Chile and the Uruguayan hub, offering door-to-door solutions that efficiently integrate maritime, land, and air logistics between both countries and the rest of the Southern Cone.
Value-added services: Partner with or establish operations in Uruguayan free zones to provide services such as repackaging, labeling, quality control, and cargo consolidation/deconsolidation. This is particularly attractive for regulated industries like pharmaceuticals or food.
Regional inventory management: Implement supply chain solutions that allow clients to maintain stock in Uruguay and supply markets like Brazil or Argentina on demand, with lower costs and greater flexibility than from Chile.
Strategic alliances and local presence: Establish partnerships with Uruguayan logistics operators or open local branches to leverage the country’s infrastructure, tax incentives, and technical expertise.
Technological development: Incorporate traceability platforms, real-time visibility, and automation, which are highly valued in sectors like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and technology.
Advisory and commercial expansion: Support Chilean clients in their regional expansion by acting as logistics consultants who integrate strategic, regulatory, and operational expertise based in Uruguay.
In summary, the role of Chilean logistics companies should evolve from local operators to regional integrators, positioning themselves as key players in a more integrated, competitive, and resilient South American logistics network.
