Nuestra Historia – Ultramar

Our History

In 1952, the captain Albert von Appen founded Ultramar as a provider of maritime agency services to Hamburg-Amerika Linie y Norddeutscher Lloyd. Providing services related to foreign trade, mainly in maritime agencies and representation of shipping companies.

Over the years, Ultramar has expanded into other complementary business areas, seeking to be a reference with significant global presence.

1952

Ultramar Agencia Marítima was formed by Captain Albert von Appen.

1955

First owned Port Agency in Arica in the far north of Chile.

1956

Appointed as representative of Lufthansa and inaugurated direct flights to Chile.

1958

Ultramar opened its second agency in Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile, due to the maritime service initiated by Hapag and Lloyd through the Straits of Magellan to Valparaiso.

1969

Ultramar opened its third agency in Antofagasta, to improve its services to Bolivia. Later that year, the San Antonio branch was opened.

1970

Ultramar became the representative for Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), a Japanese shipping line.

1972

A partnership was formed between Ultramar and Agencia Marítima Internacional (AMI), Argentina.

1981

Ultraport was created, to provide stevedoring services.

1987

Ultramar acquired part of Sitrans, and thus entered the container storage, transportation and warehousing business.

1988

Launch Service to attend vessels.
Ultramar was awarded the concession for warehouse 4 at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport in Pudahuel, and thus entered the customs warehousing business, which would later be renamed Depocargo.

1995

Ultramar began to invest in port terminals and Neltume Ports was created, with the aim of centrally handling the various ports it managed.

1996

Ultramar began to operate the Mejillones Terminal.

2000

Terminal Pacífico Sur was created in Valparaíso, and Ultramar entered the port concession business.

2003

Puerto Angamos was launched in the extreme north of Chile.

2004

The Terminal Puerto Arica concession began.

2007

Ultramar began to internationalize within the Americas by acquiring 50% of Grupo Schandy in Uruguay, and later that year 50% of Naves Colombia.

2008

Ultramar formed a partnership with Stiglich Transportes S.A., a transportation engineering company.

2010

Ultramar entered Brazil and acquired 75% of Sagres. At the same time, Rochamar Agencia Marítima was created. Ultramar also acquired Remar in Ecuador, a shipping agency.

2011

Ultramar entered Central and North America and the Caribbean when it acquired CB Fenton in Panama, and later Norton Lilly, a leading US shipping agency that operates in more than forty US ports.

2016

Through Norton Lilly, Ultramar acquired an interest in Trealmont Transport Inc., the parent company of Montship, which is the largest shipping agency in Canada.

2018

Neltume Ports formed a partnership with the Canadian company ATCO to strengthen its development in America.
The Taiwanese shipping company Evergreen and Ultramar formed a partnership under the brand Evergreen Shipping Agency (Chile) SpA. in order to market Evergreen's services, serve importers and exporters, coordinate operations and ensure that all the shipping line’s processes are efficiently performed.

2019

Norton Lilly International (NLI) acquired a 50% interest in Agencias Altamarítima (AA) and Tierramaraire (TMA) in Mexico. This partnership will continue developing the agency business in Mexico.

2021

Ultramar’s business line DAIS acquired an interest in Lighthouse Shipping, a port agency that specializes in the US tanker segment.
The AutoMOBILE International Terminal for vehicles was launched in the USA, following a partnership formed by Neltume Ports and Terminal Zarate.
Neltume Ports completed its acquisition of 70% of Tidal Transport & Trading USA, a stevedoring and port services company.

2021

Suatilco was created in Montevideo, Uruguay, to operate the port terminal for UPM's future pulp mill, which will also be served by RioEstiba.
A 50% interest in the Navinter Group operating in Guatemala was acquired through Norton Lilly.

2022

Two companies were created within the KAPTAN industrial logistics business line to develop an intermodal terminal and container storage facility in Manzanillo, Mexico.
Ultramar formed a partnership with the dos Santos Family in Paraguay through the companies Navemar and Paramar. This partnership under Ultramar’s DAIS business line will encompass four companies in Paraguay. It will broaden the opportunities to grow and diversify our business with a local partner who has tremendous experience.

2023

A 50% interest in Transmares Costa Rica was acquired through Norton Lilly International, so our DAIS business line can now enter the Costa Rican market.
Vancouver Bulk Terminal (VBT) is an an equal partnership between Neltume Ports and Nautilus, a US company. It signed an agreement with the Port of Vancouver, Washington, USA, to operate Terminal 2 for 30 years.

2024

Partnership with S5 Group through Norton Lilly International. Entry into the Global Agency market in Northern Europe and Asia through the DAIS business line.

Our History

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