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The district of Melipulli, meaning “four hills”, was renamed to Puerto Montt after its establishment on February 12, in the year 1853, by Vicente Pérez Rosales, who was commissioned by the government for leading the colonization of Valdivia and LLanquihue.  Immediately after, the shipping activity started, becoming the most important one the boarding of wood towards Valparaíso and Europe. The exportation of wool, honey, leather, wheat, etc. also occurred. Years later, in 1888 the pier was built, located in front of what is now the city square, (Plaza de armas). In 1929 the building of the port commenced, right at the same place it currently is located, in the Tenglo canal, protected from the southern winds by the island of the same name. The works were completed in 1931 and consisted of a pier of 280 meters long, which was build out of 15 meter long reinforced concrete crates.

Due to the earthquake of 1960, the commercial port was destroyed as the reinforced concrete crates overturned and plunged into the canal. The reconstruction works began in 1962 lead by the Belfi Company, who built the first stage, consisting out of a 151 meter long pier based on sheet piles and suspenders.

These works finished in 1966, and the pier was lengthened by 184 meters. A year later, the second stage of reconstruction of the port began, with 201 more meters of berthing pier (385 meters in total ), and the construction of warehouses, railways, as well as the paving of port facilities, construction of buildings and the installation of drinking water, electricity, etc.

 In 1979, the construction of the ramps for the ferry terminal of Puerto Montt began, and this operation ended in the second half of 1980.

The Puerto Montt Port Company was created by law N° 19.542 of the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, published in the official newspaper on December 19 of 1997, which modernizes the State port sector.

Its first board of directors was constituted on July 08 of 1998, pursuant to the Supreme decree N° 154 of June 24 of the same year, starting the commercial activities.

The Puerto Montt Port Company, is constituted as a legal entity under public law, being a state agency with its own assets, legal continuations of Port Company of Chile in all its powers, obligations and assets as provided by law N° 19.542/97. Its duration is indefinite, and related to the government through the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications.

Puerto Montt Port Company, is subject to the same financial, accounting and tax regulations that applies to public limited companies.