Diverse development potential in Latin America

ISR: How has the industry in Latin America developed in the last few years?
José Ignacio Talatinian: In recent years, the ropeway industry in Latin America has enjoyed a period of growth, particularly in the field of urban mobility. This demand for efficient transportation solutions in densely populated cities has led to the introduction of ropeways in cities like Medellin, Bogota, La Paz and Mexico City, where they have proven to be highly efficient in tackling traffic congestion and improving urban connectivity through integration with existing train and bus networks.

ISR: What opportunities for further development do you see?
José Ignacio Talatinian: Ropeways definitely have considerable and diverse potential. With its varied geography and environmental conditions, the region is well suited to the use of such systems, in both mountainous regions and urban areas, which still face major mobility challenges. In view of today’s growing demand for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly transportation solutions in urban areas, there are significant opportunities for growth in the industry.

ISR: The region is a global pioneer in the field of urban ropeways. Why has this concept been such a success there?
José Ignacio Talatinian: In my opinion, Latin America has become a pioneer because of the urgent need for effective mobility solutions in densely populated cities. In many cases, these facilities have reduced travel times to less than half, which is particularly meaningful in cities where growth has exceeded projections to the point where urban development could not be optimally planned. In addition, a ropeway does not take long to install, is a relatively low cost solution compared to other transportation systems, provides a convenient link to key interchanges and generally improves the quality of service for the public. All this makes it a very attractive and efficient option. Positive experiences in neighboring countries with similar socio-economic conditions are a further confidence booster for this type of facility.

ISR: Is there also potential for expansion in ski resorts and other mountain locations? If so, where and under what conditions?
José Ignacio Talatinian: Of course there is potential. In South America, especially in Argentina and Chile, we are fortunate to have the Andes, the longest continental mountain range in the world, with a wealth of opportunities for ski resort development. If you compare ropeway density in Europe, where ski resorts are well equipped and widely distributed, it is clear that there is still a lot of untapped potential in South America. Of course, all projects proposed must be sustainable and have as small an environmental footprint as possible. Currently, there are several promising projects in the planning phase in the central and southern regions of Argentina, but they face major challenges such as the difficulty of building roads in remote areas and the lack of a suitable infrastructure.

ISR: How difficult is it to secure financing for new ropeways or refurbishments?
José Ignacio Talatinian: Obtaining the necessary finance for new installations is indeed a challenge in Argentina. These projects involve substantial capital investments with a long-term time horizon, which means that investors need patience before they start to see a return on their capital. The lack of predictability with regard to the economic scenario exacerbates the situation, as maintaining financial stability is a constant challenge. It must nevertheless be said that there is considerable potential for development in the region. With the right planning, the commitment of all stakeholders and positive experiences in other countries in the region, there are real opportunities and a promising future for ropeways in Latin America.

ISR: Thank you for the interview.

Congreso Latinoamericano INTI MTC 

INTI became involved in the field of ropeway transportation in 2006, bringing together operators, manufacturers, regulatory authorities and independent experts to identify the industry’s specific needs, characteristics and international regulations. In Argentina, there were previously neither any national regulations nor sufficient technical information on the subject of ropeway installations. The organization’s efforts led to the publication of a technical manual on “Ropeway Safety” and other standard works on the subject, which served as the basis for drafting the relevant national legislation. In the context of these significant industry developments, INTI organized a first congress in Buenos Aires in 2012 to promote exchange between practitioners and experts. Since then, this industry event has been held at different locations every two years. This year, up to 200 participants from countries including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela and Mexico, and also from Europe, will be attending the event, which is being held in Bariloche at the end of October.

www.argentina.gob.ar/6to-congreso-latinoamericano-inti-mtc-2024