Background
Officially launched in June 2023, the FWO ContainerHaven project is led by the University of Antwerp under the guidance of Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Tomaso Ferrando, supported by PhD candidates Peter Kimani and Adriane Takahara Montenegro, all members of the Law and Development Research Group at the Faculty of Law of the University of Antwerp. The project is conducted in collaboration with Universidad del Rosario, represented by Prof. Dr. Enrique Prietos-Ríos, and NYU Shanghai, represented by Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Stojanović. Focusing on five major container ports—Antwerp-Brugge, Buenaventura, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and Tanger-Med—the project seeks to uncover the profound ontological and epistemological implications of these ports, recognizing them as hubs of global trade and focal points of intense contestation where economic imperatives clash with workers, environment, and community livelihood interests.
As part of the project initiatives, represented by PhD candidate Adriane Takahara Montenegro and Prof. Dr. Enrique Prietos-Ríos, on December 4th, the Faculty of Law at Universidad del Rosario hosted the round-table event “Puertos y Megainfraestructuras: Desafíos Regulatorios y Socioambientales en Colombia.” The event focused on exploring and analyzing the challenges faced by Colombian ports, particularly their regulatory and socio-environmental impacts at the local level. In an intimate and focused setting, the round table brought together a mix of diverse voices. Academics from Universidad del Rosario, Universidad Javeriana, and Universidad de los Andes shared their expertise and experience in the field, while representatives from civil society, such as the coordinator of CORMEPAZ—a nonprofit dedicated to promoting peace in Buenaventura—offered insights grounded in daily local realities.
Thematic Sessions and Key Highlights
The round table was organized into three thematic sessions. The first session, Desafíos Regulatorios y Gobernanza de las Megainfraestructuras Portuarias, explored the regulatory challenges of managing ports as megainfrastructures in Colombia, including the impact of Law 1 of 1991, the current state of port governance, and future challenges related to potential regulatory changes. The second session, Infraestructura Portuaria y su Impacto en el Territorio, analyzed the local impacts of port infrastructure, with a focus on the interaction between ports and nearby communities and their influence on the territory. The final session, Megainfraestructuras y Justicia Ecológica, addressed the need to rethink the legal frameworks regulating port operations by integrating the principles of ecological justice and the rights of nature, with particular attention to environmental licenses and the broader implications of megainfrastructures in Colombia.
Prof. Andrés Palacio (Universidad del Rosario) shared his experiences and perspectives based on his mandate as Delegado de Puertos. Prof. Enrique Prieto-Ríos (Universidad del Rosario) offered insights from his recent fieldwork in Buenaventura conducted under the FWO ContainerHaven project. Prof. Joaquín Garzón (Universidad Javeriana) shared his experience and extensive work in Buenaventura, focusing on how the planning and over-planning of the territorial space and infrastructure is reflected in social movements’ actions. Prof. María Cecilia Roa (Universidad de los Andes) discussed her collaborative work with amphibious communities in Buenaventura, highlighting how dredging has affected these communities, particularly in terms of food sovereignty.
The discussions at the round table delved into critical themes. One key focus was the influence of the Constitution of 1991 and the subsequent legal reforms made in the 1990s, as well as the implementation of neoliberal policies. A central question was whether these legal frameworks led to the “privatization” of port operations and whether “privatization” is the right terminology to describe the process. This term sparked controversy among participants and in the literature.
Another significant topic was the territorial impact of megainfrastructures and their connection to communities. Panelists underscored the tangible effects that large-scale port projects have on local populations and territories, including the unequal distribution of costs and benefits. There was discussion on whether the inequality found in these areas could be attributed to neoliberal policies and the concession contract format currently in place. Panelists also explored issues of racial capitalism and the legacy of colonial dynamics that continue to plague the Colombian Pacific. Moreover, the role of enterprises, the state, and the communities themselves in this scenario was also discussed.
Next Steps
The event aimed to bring together experts working on various themes related to ports and megainfrastructures, not only to exchange ideas but also to consider potential future initiatives for studying the impacts of ports in Colombia. In this regard, the round table successfully sparked critical conversations about the future of Colombian ports. Its interactive format ensured active engagement and dialogue. Discussions also highlighted the need for a closer examination of port operations and infrastructure across different regions in Colombia, as well as the importance of creating comparative studies and sharing knowledge about what is happening at different ports.
The full event program is available here.