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.