Published 21/05/2025 09:09 | Edited 21/05/2025 09:15
The port of Chancay, north of Lima, Peru, has already moved more than $ 290 million in cargo and created 8,000 direct jobs in Peru. Inaugurated in November 2024, the project was structured under the China’s Belt and Route initiative and consolidates itself as a logistics platform between South America and Asia.
Porto strengthens the Chinese presence at a time when Latin America faces the consequences of the new round of commercial tariffs imposed by the United States.
Located about 80 km from the capital, Chancay is South America’s first smart port, equipped with automated operations, AI -controlled cranes and 5G connection.
Its infrastructure allows to operate 24 hours a day with efficiency and safety. Since its inauguration, the Chancay – Xangai Direct Route has reduced the transportation time from 33 to 23 days, which represents a savings of over 20% per year in logistics costs for Peruvian exporters.
The economic results have been significant: in the first phase of the project, the expected port manages up to $ 4.5 billion annually in exports. By March 2025, more than 60,000 containers have already been moved, and the projection is that this number reaches 500,000 by 2027.
According to the Central Bank of Peru, Porto will contribute 0.3% of national GDP by 2025, and may reach 0.9% by the end of the year.
Chinese expansion gains traffic with Trump tariffs
The new tariff war imposed by the United States since early 2025 is accelerating China’s geoeconomic repositioning in Latin America. While Washington imposes unilateral and unpredictable measures, Beijing maintains its long-term strategy, focused on South-South Predictability, Predictability and Cooperation.
The China-Celac summit, held in May in Beijing, brought together leaders from several Latin American countries, including Presidents Xi Jinping and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and reaffirmed the Chinese arrangement to deepen commercial and diplomatic ties.
For countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, which face the effects of US tariffs, China represents a stable and advantageous alternative.
Brazil wants to connect to the Pacific via Chancay
During the official visit to China in May, the Brazilian government announced advances in negotiations for the construction of the Bioceanic Railroad, which would connect Ilhéus (BA) to the port of Chancay. The proposal, articulated by the Ministry of Planning, provides for the integration of the Fiol and FI railroads, crossing strategic regions such as Matopiba and the Midwest.
Minister Simone Tebet classified the project as a “logistics revolution”, with the potential to transform Brazil into a new export power focused on the Asian market.
China State Railway Group, a state-owned company responsible for the operation and management of China’s rail network, has made a series of technical visits to key points such as Mara Rosa (GO), Brasilia and the Port of Santos, demonstrating interest in funding and project participation.
According to Tebet, “without foreign capital, this project is unfeasible”, and only China has technical and financial conditions to propel it at this time.
More than a port, Chancay became the showcase of the “Inclusive Globalization” model promoted by China. Based on the principle of “consultation, joint construction and sharing”, the project generated visible transformations in the region: tourism growth (highlighting Chancay Castle), real estate appreciation and strengthening of local commerce.
The Peruvian government estimates that more than 800,000 tourists visit Chancay annually and plans 21 social projects in the region with resources from the collection of Porto. In addition, the creation of a special economic zone is discussed to attract high value-added industries. Chancay’s logistics structure, connected to Chinese and Peruvian land networks, reinforces its position as one of the most promising commercial hubs in South America.
Source: vermelho.org.br
