Bolivia: A Maritime Country Without Direct Access to the Sea

Bolivia is a country located in South America, specifically in the heart of the continent. Unlike most countries, it is one of the few completely landlocked states without direct access to an ocean or sea. This maritime peculiarity has a considerable influence on its economy, foreign trade, and geopolitics. For a long time, Bolivia had access to the Pacific Ocean through a narrow coastal strip, but it lost it following the War of the Pacific (1879-1884) against Chile. Since then, Bolivia has special rights and agreements with Chilean ports to allow access to maritime import-export. This landlocked status complicates the logistical management of maritime trade. Bolivia heavily depends on the port infrastructures of its neighbors, notably the Chilean port of Arica and the Peruvian port of Ilo, which are key points for commercial exchanges. The Bolivian government also invests in the development of land and rail corridors to facilitate the transit of goods to the coasts. Furthermore, this situation generates a complex diplomatic dynamic in the region, with Bolivia claiming sovereign access to the sea, a demand that has been brought before the International Court of Justice, although the 2018 decision confirmed the current status of the territory.

The Strategic Importance of the Coastline for Bolivia

The coastline and access to the sea hold essential strategic value for Bolivia, as they directly impact its economy. The country, rich in natural resources and agricultural products, needs competitive access to international markets via maritime routes to encourage its exports and stimulate economic growth. The high logistical costs linked to landlocked status affect the competitiveness of Bolivian products. Consequently, Bolivia develops strategic partnerships to secure and optimize cross-border maritime logistics. The project to modernize land infrastructures connecting Bolivia to neighboring ports, as well as the improvement of transit agreements, is a constant priority. These efforts aim to reduce delays and costs related to maritime transport via land routes. These dynamics also play a key role in Bolivian foreign policy, which focuses on strengthening bilateral relations, notably with Chile and Peru, to guarantee smooth and sustainable access to maritime trade. Moreover, Bolivia is also exploring the development of river ports on major waterways like the Amazon, which allow indirect access to international river trade routes.

Geopolitical Issues and Alternative Maritime Development

Bolivia's maritime status is a subject of recurrent geopolitical tensions in South America. The loss of sovereign coastline during the War of the Pacific remains a central point in bilateral relations between Bolivia and Chile. Despite international judicial decisions, Bolivia maintains its claim for a sovereign corridor to the sea, which influences regional diplomatic negotiations and cross-border cooperation. To address these challenges, Bolivia also relies on alternative strategies, notably the development of riverine solutions and multimodal corridors. These policies include strengthening rail and road infrastructures toward foreign ports, as well as promoting cross-border trade. Additionally, Bolivia actively participates in regional organizations aimed at enhancing economic integration and facilitating access to the sea for landlocked countries. Ultimately, the country continues to adapt its maritime strategies by combining diplomatic, logistical, and economic efforts to overcome its lack of direct maritime access.