en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Board of Directors of the Costa Rican Pacific Port Authority (Instituto Costarricense de Puertos del Pacífico, Incop) has approved the extension of the concession contract for the general cargo and bulk cargo terminals at Puerto Caldera until August 31, 2027. This measure aims to ensure the continuity of public port services during the bidding and award process for the modernization of the port area, thereby avoiding any impact on the country's foreign trade.

Since the bidding process has not yet resulted in a final award and the current contract is about to expire, Incop stated that it is essential to ensure uninterrupted port operations to avoid affecting national trade and the logistics chain. The one-year extension period was determined after evaluating the most favorable options for completing the concession process, granting only the strictly necessary time to finalize the legal, administrative, regulatory, and transition phases toward the new contract.

Wagner Alberto Quesada Céspedes, Executive President of Incop, stated that this decision prevents an interruption in the operations of Puerto Caldera, protects the national logistics chain, and provides certainty for port users and the country's productive sectors. He also noted that this extension does not alter the current concession conditions, but merely extends the time required to complete the legal, administrative, and transition phases toward the new operating model.

If the Comptroller General of the Republic of Costa Rica (Contraloría General de la República de Costa Rica) issues a favorable ruling on appeals related to the bidding process, this period will be sufficient to ensure an orderly transition between contracts. If the ruling differs, the executive branch will assess in due course whether another extension is necessary. Once the new concession is awarded, the extension will remain in effect within the approved timeframe, as this is the minimum period required to properly complete all implementation and operational transition phases.

From the date of this decision, the concessionaire must immediately submit to Incop an updated maintenance plan for the port's infrastructure, ensuring the port's operability, safety, and normal functioning over the next year. This measure will maintain operational continuity while the planned actions are carried out.