The Montecon company has filed a complaint with the Commission for the Promotion and Defense of Competition of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) against the National Ports Administration (ANP), alleging anti-competitive practices in the Port of Montevideo.
According to Montecon, the ANP “makes operational decisions that hinder or prevent users from using the public docks”, which in his opinion does not allow the operators to provide the required services. The company has reported several episodes in which it has suffered damages due to the berth allocation system, and has requested an investigation into the reasons why public berths are not assigned in the required time when shipping customers so request.
Montecon maintains that the participation of the ANP as a partner of Terminal Cuenca del Plata SA has been decisive for the State to take preferential measures in favor of this company, when the laws required it to work under a regime of free competition with the other port operators. In this sense, the company considers that the State acts as judge and party.
Consequently, Montecon has requested that the free competition regime be restored in the Port of Montevideo and that measures be taken to guarantee that the ANP does not hinder the use of public docks by port operators. The company has stressed that free competition is essential for the operation of the port and to ensure that users get the best services at the lowest possible cost.
