By All In Maritime Newsroom | July 2025
In a landmark achievement for South American maritime infrastructure, Peru has completed a major expansion of the Port of Callao, dramatically boosting its cargo-handling capacity and reinforcing its position as a key gateway for Pacific trade.
The $400 million upgrade, spearheaded by global port operator DP World, extended the South Terminal’s Bicentennial Pier from 650 meters to 1,050 meters, enabling simultaneous docking of three large container vessels—or two ultra-large ships. The project increases the terminal’s annual capacity from 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 2.7 million TEUs, according to official data released by DP World.
“This investment is not just about infrastructure; it’s about securing Peru’s future in global trade,” said Carlos Merino, CEO of DP World Peru. “We’re creating a more efficient, sustainable, and competitive platform for exporters and importers alike.”
Record Growth and Export Boost
The expansion is already showing returns. In 2024, the South Terminal handled a record 1.96 million TEUs, a 19% year-on-year increase, and supported over $3.6 billion in agricultural exports. The terminal accounted for nearly 40% of Peru’s total agricultural exports and 85% of its blueberry shipments, according to DP World reports.
Crucially, the upgrade has created more than 3,000 new jobs in the Callao region, boosting the local economy and logistics ecosystem.
Green Tech at the Core
The Port of Callao expansion also marks a new chapter in sustainable port operations in Latin America. The upgraded terminal now boasts 15 electric cranes and 20 electric internal transport vehicles (ITVs), making it the first of its kind in the region to adopt electric equipment at this scale. Additionally, it features Latin America’s first 2 MW electric charging station for port trucks, reducing annual carbon emissions by over 2,000 tons.
Regional Implications and Chancay Megaport
This infrastructure leap comes as Peru positions itself as a dominant logistics hub on the Pacific coast. The new Callao capacity complements the nearby Chancay Megaport, a $3 billion project majority-owned by China’s COSCO Shipping, which began operations in November 2024. Together, these two ports will handle nearly 4 million TEUs annually, rivaling other leading regional terminals.
A direct maritime route launched in April 2025 between Guangzhou and Chancay now cuts transit times by nearly 20%, reinforcing trade ties between Latin America and Asia.
“Peru is fast becoming a strategic node in the China–South America logistics corridor,” notes Robin Michael, a marine surveyor with Observater Surveys and Services Limited. “The Callao expansion, paired with Chancay, signals a long-term vision for maritime dominance in the region.”
A New Maritime Milestone
With this port expansion complete, Peru’s ability to handle higher cargo volumes efficiently and sustainably has been firmly strengthened. Stakeholders across agriculture, mining, and manufacturing are expected to benefit from faster turnaround times and increased export opportunities.
As Peru aligns infrastructure with global trade demands, the message is clear: the Pacific gateway to South America is open, modernized, and ready for the future.
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