Peru's megaport continues to thrive one year after opening

Key Concepts

• Chancay Port: A modern, deep-water port in Peru, majority owned by Chinese shipping giant COSCO.
• Strategic Location: Connects Peru and South America directly to Shanghai, China, and serves as a regional hub for Latin America.
• Trade Facilitation: Significantly reduces transit times across the Pacific Ocean and increases trade volume between Latin America and Asia.
• Automation and Technology: Features advanced technology, including remote-controlled container loading/unloading via joystick.
• Local Employment and Empowerment: Provides significant local employment, with a notable percentage of women in operational roles.
• Economic Impact: Facilitates the export of Peruvian agricultural products and the import of vehicles, including electric and hybrid models.

Inauguration and Strategic Importance of Chancay Port

The Chancay port, located approximately 80 km north of Lima, Peru, was inaugurated one year ago by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte. Majority owned by the Chinese shipping giant COSCO, this ultra-modern deep-water port establishes a direct link between Peru, South America, and Shanghai, China. The first anniversary signifies the commencement of an era characterized by faster trade and increased volume between not only Peru and China but also Latin America and Asia.

Impact on Trade and Logistics

The new hub is instrumental in reducing transit times across the Pacific Ocean by one-third. This enhanced efficiency is crucial for facilitating trade between continents. The port's strategic positioning allows it to act as an intermediary for trade with other Latin American countries such as Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, effectively serving as a Latin American hub for all countries in the region. This strategic advantage significantly cuts down transit times, enabling any country to utilize the port for their export and import needs.

Automation and Technological Advancement

Chancay port is characterized by its advanced technology, making it the most modern port in the region. A key feature highlighted is the automation of container loading and unloading operations, which can be managed remotely using a joystick. This level of automation, learned from Chinese counterparts, represents a significant technological leap for the local workforce.

Local Employment and Community Impact

The port is a significant source of local employment, with over half of its workers hailing from Chancay. Furthermore, 20% of the workforce are women, demonstrating a commitment to gender inclusivity. Kelly Akuna, a remote-control port operator, shared her experience, noting that the port has provided her with her first opportunity to work in a port environment and that she has learned extensively about automation from her Chinese colleagues. The anniversary is seen as a milestone, consolidating their plan to become the most important hub in the South American region.

Economic Contributions and Trade Data

COSCO Shipping Peru reports that the port has handled thousands of vehicles this year, many of which are electric or hybrid. Concurrently, Peru's primary agricultural exports, including blueberries, grapes, and avocados, are successfully reaching markets in Shanghai and other parts of China, underscoring the port's role in boosting Peru's export economy.

Conclusion

The first anniversary of the Chancay port marks a pivotal moment, solidifying its role as a critical infrastructure for enhanced trade and logistics between Latin America and Asia. Its strategic location, advanced automation, and positive impact on local employment and trade volumes position it as a key regional hub, facilitating faster and more efficient movement of goods across the Pacific.