LIMA, Peru.- Located approximately 80 kilometers north of the Peruvian capital, the new port of Chancay , a majority investment by the Chinese company Cosco Shipping , has begun operations with the ambition of becoming the most important logistics hub in the South Pacific of Latin America . Its modern infrastructure, automated design, and direct connection to Asia position this terminal as a key point for regional foreign trade, taking into account the importance that China has acquired for Latin American countries.

With an initial investment of over $1.3 billion, the project began operations in June 2025. It currently handles between 13 and 14 ships per week. It has a capacity to handle one million TEUs (20-foot containers) annually , a figure that will expand to 1.5 million with the addition of six new ARMG cranes (fully automated) by 2026.

T21 was present at the Port of Chancay, invited by AAPA LATAM , as part of its 2025 Congress, held in Lima, Peru, at the end of last June. The port complex has four docks: the first two for bulk cargo, rolling cargo, and industrial projects, and docks 3 and 4, with 860 meters of berthing line, designed for containers and operated with a fully robotic system. The terminal has the capacity to receive vessels up to 400 meters in length and 24,000 TEUs.

On the sustainable front, the Port of Chancay has been developed with a 100% electric approach . It has 15 ARMG cranes, six STS cranes, 40 autonomous vehicles, and a network of charging stations distributed throughout the terminal. Its energy consumption of 33 megawatts is supplied from a proprietary substation with an installed capacity of 50 megawatts, projected to 150 megawatts. Internal communications operate via the 5G network, eliminating dependence on conventional radios.

One of the key elements of the project is its underground logistics tunnel, which connects the entry area with the operational area, enabling efficient and safe transit. At this point, each unit undergoes automated inspections and mandatory customs scanning. Starting in November 2025, 100% of cargo will be inspected with high-end scanners donated by U.S. Customs.

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El cargo Chancay: Gateway to the Pacific that revolutionizes South American logistics apareció primero en T21.

LIMA, PE.- Panama is the fifth country with the highest rainfall levels in the world. Fresh water is one of the most valuable assets for the functioning of the Panama Canal , considered a “logistical marvel,” which has been in operation for 110 years. But the 2023 drought, which lasted until 2024 and affected ship transit due to low levels of this water resource in Gatun Lake, the main water supplier for the canal, put the Panamanian government on alert.

The good news for global supply chains, and even for the environment, is that actions are being taken to try to reduce the future impacts of climate change. Because they will happen, and they will be more constant.

The importance of the canal to the Panamanian people is indisputable. In fiscal year 2024, it generated revenue of $4.998 billion for a total of 11,240 transits, a figure lower than the peaks of more than 14,000 transits recorded in previous years. It also creates jobs for 8,600 people and many more indirectly.

Without the canal – 82 kilometers of waterway that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans – shipping lines would have to add more nautical miles to transport goods and also consume more fuel , a situation comparable to what happened with the recent attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, which caused the diversion of maritime routes between Asia and Europe, mainly, by not being able to pass through the Suez Canal to reach the Mediterranean.

The canal’s operation is simple, but complex to operate. Upon reaching either end of the canal, ships must ascend 26 meters (m) above sea level using a system of locks that act as aquatic stairs. Once they reach this height, they simply navigate to the other end and repeat this action in reverse. Each transit discharges between 191,000 and 202,000 cubic meters of fresh water into the sea.

The cost of passing through the canal varies depending on the type, size, and cargo carried by vessels. The highest rates apply to Neopanamax vessels, with rates ranging from $400,000 to $800,000.

“We are actually a pretty expensive toll booth,” said Estela del Carmen Luck Archbold, Sustainability Manager for the Panama Canal, during her participation in the panel “ Success Stories in Sustainability and Decarbonization of Port Operations ” at the AAPA LATAM 2025 Congress .

Panama has owned the canal since 2000, when it was transferred to its administration by the United States government, its original builder. Until a few years ago, there were only three sets of locks, but in July 2016, two new Neopanamax locks were inaugurated , which feature basin systems for water reuse. These locks measure 427 m long, 55 m wide, and 18 m deep, allowing for the passage of larger ships.

Another major source of water supply for the canal is Lake Alhajuela, which, like Gatún, was built as a water reservoir and also operates one of the two hydroelectric plants managed by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) . Both artificial lakes are responsible for leveling the depth of the channel .

However, the ravages of climate change around the world are affecting the operation of the Panama Canal. “Before, there was a severe drought every 18 or 20 years, then it was every eight, and now it’s every four… we have to prepare ourselves to survive and resist,” according to the canal’s sustainability manager.

To avoid future problems due to a lack of water to supply the canal, the government is planning to dammify the Indio River in the center of the country, a project that would take about four years and require an investment of $1.6 billion . This would allow for 12 to 13 more ship crossings per day and support the construction of water treatment plants, according to authorities.

“It’s been under study for at least 10 years… it should start next year. We have social issues to address. We’re asking for a pretty big sacrifice from people who own land that could become a lake in the future,” said Luck Archbold.

While the Panamanian government addresses the social issue, which includes around two thousand families that could be affected or relocated, international trade is closely monitoring what will happen to the canal to avoid future disruptions to supply chains.

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El cargo Panama Canal vs. climate change: a lost battle? apareció primero en T21.

LIMA, PE.- Port renewal is approaching in Latin America. The expiration of concessions that were triggered at the end of the last century opens up opportunities for contract review and improvement.

In the region, 19.1% of these contracts will expire between 2025 and 2030, with Colombia accounting for the shortest periods; while 24.5% will expire between 2030 and 2035, in the case of Mexico and Peru ; 11.7% between 2035 and 2040, 30.9% between 2040 and 2050, and 13.8% after 2050, where countries like Brazil and Chile are included, with a more staggered distribution, according to data shared by Juan Duarte, executive president of AAPA LATAM .

“We are seeing the need for new regulations, new policies, and how we are going to plan for the next 50 years of the port industry in our region,” Duarte said during the panel entitled “Global Economic Outlook and Its Impact on Demand for the Maritime-Port Industry ” at the AAPA LATAM 2025 Congress .

This outlook for port concession expirations also includes the new projects being launched in Latin American countries , a trend aligned with the demand for infrastructure to serve global trade.

“The next generation of investments, of concessions that will be presented, should have a very different set of requirements,” said Dinesh Sharma, managing director of Drewry Maritime Research .

In addition, in this context, there is a growing trend among shipping lines to add even larger vessels to their services and routes , seeking to take advantage of economies of scale.

“We need to think about efficiency, we need to think about productivity ,” Sharma said.

In this quest to incorporate improvements into upcoming port contracts in Latin America, we must not forget the new requirements demanded by climate change , namely, sustainability in terminal operations and the entire business ecosystem surrounding them.

“The requirements for port concessions in the next generation will be very different. I think governments, port authorities, and also terminal operators need to think about how they would participate in this particular concession renewal process,” said Dinesh Sharma.

The renewal of port concessions occurs in a context in which “advanced economies are not playing or are not the main players; emerging developing economies are , and regions like ours have the potential to increasingly influence the value chain,” according to Juan Duarte.

“We have a thriving region, efficient ports committed to investment, and a manufacturing and growth capacity that the world needs. So, while we are seeing port expirations, we have opportunities to start thinking now about the next policy, the next regulatory framework, to ensure the competitiveness and continuity of those concessions that are performing extremely well. Within Latin America, we have the most efficient ports in the world, such as Cartagena. The third most efficient port in the world is a Latin American port (…) it is essential to have ports that are prepared, flexible, and strategically resilient ,” he stated.

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El cargo Latin America requires better port concessions apareció primero en T21.

Peru is preparing to welcome key players in global maritime trade as the host of the AAPA LATAM 2025 Congress , the flagship event of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) which, in partnership with the National Port Authority (APN) , will bring together more than 600 international trade leaders, government authorities, and executives from the world’s leading ports and shipping companies from June 24 to 27 to discuss the continent’s port and logistics future.

The meeting, which will take place in Lima, comes at a strategic time for global trade. Peru, increasingly recognized as a port-logistics hub in the South American Pacific, is projecting itself to the world as a benchmark for transformation, sustainability, and innovation in port infrastructure. The selection of Peru as the host country confirms a decade of investment, reforms, and a strategic vision aimed at connecting its terminals with major international supply chains.

AAPA LATAM 2025 will be the center of major industry debates , addressing key topics such as port investment, energy transition, resilient infrastructure development, and digital transformation. The magnitude of the event will also highlight the leadership achieved by the country’s main port terminals, which are now key players in the transformation of the sector in Latin America. Industry leaders agree that this valuable opportunity represents a historic opportunity to showcase the potential and strategic capacity of the Peruvian port system to the world.

“For Peru, it is an honor to host this important event, which reaffirms the country—as well as its ports and logistics system—as a valuable benchmark. AAPA LATAM 2025 will allow the world to gain a closer look at our capabilities and vision as a regional logistics hub ,” said César Rojas Álvaro, general manager of the Port of Paracas .

For his part, Eduardo Cerdeira, general manager of Terminales Portuarios Euroandinos (TPE) , stated that “choosing the country as the host of a congress of this magnitude is an excellent decision. Our ports are ready to show the world their evolution and great importance .”

Mauricio Núñez del Prado Eguiluz, general manager of Terminal Internacional del Sur (TISUR) , added that “this valuable congress will bring together suppliers, customers, and other competitors to exchange ideas and opportunities for the industry.” Meanwhile, Marco Hernández Bardelli, general manager of DP World Callao , added that “the selection of Peru as the host of the AAPA LATAM 2025 Congress represents recognition of the strategic role that the country has been consolidating in regional and global maritime trade.”

In turn, Carlos Arias de Molina, CEO of APM Terminals Callao , emphasized that “this platform will allow us to demonstrate to the world our commitment to efficiency, sustainability, and innovation, generating real opportunities for cooperation.” Finally, Gonzalo Ríos Polastri, Deputy General Manager of COSCO SHIPPING Ports Chancay Perú , noted that “we have a motivational and reflective element, and an excellent opportunity to review projections for the infrastructure, equipment, and interaction of ports with their surroundings.”

Peru: Ideal setting for business and logistics investment

Peru’s selection as the host of AAPA LATAM 2025 is not a coincidence,but the result of a decade of reforms and strategic investments. Proof of this is the Port of Paracas, which has been recognized with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Green Port Award System (GPAS). The terminal has invested more than $240 million in infrastructure. Now, a new investment package of an additional $30 million is being added.

For its part, Euroandinos Port Terminals, Peru’s main agricultural export port , responsible for more than 40% of all refrigerated cargo exported in 2024, plans to exceed US$100 million in investments by 2029, with the aim of responding to the dynamism of northern Peru. In the south, the concessionaire of the Matarani Port Terminal, TISUR , has executed 12 public works projects in the province of Islay through the Works for Taxes mechanism, investing 40 million soles in the last five years. These projects have closed gaps in sectors such as health, education, sanitation, and transportation.

Likewise, DP World, which manages approximately 60% of the Port of Callao’s volume and channels 90% of domestic container trade, exported US$2.861 billion in mining products and US$1.575 billion in fishing products in 2024 alone. In terms of imports, it moved US$4.07 billion in machinery and spare parts, US$2.29 billion in chemical products, and US$1.34 billion in food and beverages. The company has set a goal of reducing its emissions by 90% by 2030.

For its part, APM Terminals is moving forward with the upcoming inauguration of Phase 3A , marking a new milestone in the modernization of the North Multipurpose Terminal. Its multipurpose cargo and grain handling capacity consolidates its position as a world-class port. Furthermore, the Port of Chancay, operated by COSCO SHIPPING Ports Chancay Perú, represents the immediate future of transoceanic trade. This terminal promises to reduce logistics times between South America and Asia, redefining maritime trade routes.

The AAPA LATAM 2025 meeting in Lima is shaping up to be an unparalleled platform for propelling Latin America toward a new stage of integration with international trade. Participating in this event is a strategic decision for those who lead, make decisions, plan, or invest in the development of the region’s port infrastructure.

Information and registration: www.aapalatam.org/congreso .

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El cargo Peru is preparing to welcome more than 600 global leaders at AAPA LATAM 2025. apareció primero en T21.

AAPA LATAM , one of the most important events in the maritime-port sector in Latin America, will take place in Lima, Peru , from June 24 to 27 , and will include a robust conference agenda with top-level exhibitors, with topics ranging from an analysis of the outlook for the global economy and its effect on demand in the maritime-port industry, to success stories in sustainability and decarbonization.

The Peruvian capital is gearing up to host this event, which will also address challenges in automation and technology , the redefinition of global ports, the outlook for major cargo generators and new shipping alliances, innovation and resilience for container and bulk terminals, and the challenges facing the cruise industry and port cities in the era of logistics integration.

Among the panelists will be Juan Carlos Paz Cárdenas , Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Port Authority of Peru and member of the board of directors of AAPA LATAM . For him, 2024 was a momentous year for the development of Peru’s ports.

“The inauguration of the Chancay Multipurpose Port Terminal will mark a milestone in connectivity with Asia, enabling direct routes to Shanghai in just 23 days. Likewise, the Callao Bicentennial Pier, 1,050 meters long and fully electrified, strengthens the operational capacity of the country’s most important port. This is in addition to new investments in both Chancay and Callao, as well as in regional, sea, and river ports,” he noted.

He added that this growth has strengthened the competitiveness of this South American country in global trade, with exports exceeding $74 billion , of which $12.7 billion corresponds to agricultural exports.

Regarding how Latin American countries can position themselves in a challenging global geopolitical and commercial reality, Paz acknowledged that uncertainty is a constant in economic history, and each country must define clear strategies to turn challenges into opportunities.

He highlighted that in recent years, Peru has strengthened its trade integration through 23 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with major world economies such as the United States, China, and the European Union.

“Our port model is a benchmark in the region, with investments from 18 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Spain, Mexico, the Netherlands, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Australia. Our concession policy has been successful, with eight concessions already granted, a ninth in the process of being signed, and the 30-year extension of the Matarani Port Terminal concession,” he explained.

The event will also feature Dinesh Sharma, CEO of Drewry , who highlighted that Latin America has seen strong growth in port traffic in recent years.

“Compared to January 2019 levels, that growth was 30 percent. Furthermore, the 12-month average growth rate reached 11.1 percent last December, nearly double the global average of 6.1 percent,” he added.

He explained that, in the last two years, traffic at the most important ports, such as Callao, has increased by up to 25%, and in other cases, such as the Paracas Port Terminal, that percentage has quadrupled.

“This growth is primarily a reflection of investments in infrastructure and equipment, leading to both increased capacity and improved efficiency,” he emphasized.

Dinesh Sharma highlighted Peru’s importance in terms of container movement, as more than half of the seven million TEU (20-foot containers) of additional capacity planned to be added over the next five years along the west coast of Latin America, from Mexico to Chile, are in Peru.

Drewry’s current outlook for the region is for six million TEUs of throughput to be added over the next five years.

Another speaker at AAPA LATAM will be Carlos Urriola , a port specialist and member of the AAPA LATAM Board of Directors, who highlighted the importance of Peru as the venue for this event.

“The investments in the Callao and Chancay expansions confirm their role as a maritime hub for cargo distribution. In addition to port infrastructure, continued investment in roads, railways, and logistics parks is needed to make Peru an even more successful hub. The selection of Lima for the AAPA Congress will be an excellent opportunity to discuss local and regional projects,” he added.

Regarding the impact of the large container shipping alliances that dominate logistics and port markets, he noted that most of these alliances are born and die before their expiration date.

“On the one hand, alliances are experimenting with vessel networking using transshipment, while others are experimenting with direct services. This is a major change in the region. On the other hand, shipping lines are operating multiple port terminals, and there are very few port operators that aren’t part of those lines’ structures,” he noted.

AAPA LATAM 2025 aims to be a space that will prioritize regional dialogue, strategic analysis, and the exchange of experiences among the various stakeholders in the logistics and port chain.

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El cargo Challenges and opportunities in the maritime-port sector will be addressed at AAPA LATAM Peru 2025 apareció primero en T21.

One of the most important events in the maritime and port sector in Latin America, AAPA LATAM , comes to Lima, Peru, from June 24 to 27 with an agenda focused on the future, addressing the technological and environmental challenges of the sector.

The choice of Peru as the event’s host city, in addition to the highlights of tours of two of its key infrastructure sites, the port of Callao and the neighboring new port of Chancay , also includes a conference agenda ranging from the most global to the most specific, always of interest to the industry’s stakeholders who will be attending the event in large numbers. The event will feature highly-regarded, high-level exhibitors alongside emerging industry entrepreneurs.

The conference program at the Westin Hotel in Lima ranges from an analysis of the global economic outlook and its impact on demand in the maritime and port industry—a current issue in light of new geopolitical challenges—to success stories in sustainability and decarbonization in port operations, as well as challenges in automation and technology, including the redefinition of global ports and examples of expansion in this area in Latin America; the perspectives of the main cargo generators and new shipping alliances; and innovation and resilience for container and bulk terminals , as well as the challenges facing the cruise industry and port cities in the era of logistics integration.

Specifically, industry specialists and key players will explore the exciting agenda in featured panels tailored to attendees’ interests.

For example, when analyzing the current global economic situation and its prospects, the opening panel will focus on the direction of international trade, geopolitical challenges and their impact on bilateral and multilateral agreements , and the new dynamics of maritime and port transport routes and intralogistics.

Later on the agenda, on the topic of port expansion in Latin America, industry leaders will analyze projects that address the challenges of technological innovation and sustainability in the face of the new global context. There will also be a dedicated space for success stories in automated terminals, the use of AI, and other innovations , so that ports can remain competitive in the face of cargo and shipping demand.

Likewise, another panel will explore the new patterns of logistics needs for shippers. There will also be an analysis of progress in sustainability and decarbonization, as well as how ports are adapting to growing regulatory demands and emissions reductions, the use of electricity in the energy transition of terminals and in logistics processes, and responding to the challenge of balancing operational profitability and environmental responsibility.

In addition, there will be room for specialist analysis of global shipping alliances and their impact on maritime transport routes and ports in Latin America; as well as a space for responsible debate on the highly complex issue of the response of ports , terminals, and security to the incursion of drug trafficking networks into international trade.

Additionally, dedicated panels with top-level executives will analyze how container and bulk terminals are responding to the challenges of automation, digitalization, and sustainability, addressing issues such as cybersecurity, traceability, and congestion. They will also explore how ports can become smart and agile hubs that respond to the demands of international trade , with case studies showing how ports are aiming to improve their productivity, reduce costs, and ensure their relevance in an increasingly demanding trade environment.

Finally, there will be a dedicated panel on the cruise industry, including the new demands of cruise lines and the responses of ports to be efficient and remain competitive on their routes; as well as a panel featuring a renewed analysis of the city-port relationship, with examples of innovation to facilitate greater logistics integration, reduce negative environmental impacts, and incorporate technology for better public-private planning with a positive impact on the region’s communities.

Separately from the event, a special event will feature the presentation of the AAPA and AAPA-CIP OAS Legacy Awards to recognize excellence and highlight initiatives that transform the maritime-port industry, especially those that have left a significant mark on the region, driving sector growth, innovation, sustainability, human capital development, and collaboration in Latin American ports.

This is how the ideal space for firsthand information on current events and trends in the region’s port, shipping, and international trade markets is shaping up . The high-level conferences, along with the showcase of exhibiting companies and technical visits to Callao and Chancay, form a unique and remarkable trio that will make AAPA LATAM Lima a beacon of light, attracting hundreds of visitors, this time to the heart of the Pacific West Coast’s maritime routes.

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El cargo The region’s maritime, port, and logistics agenda will be discussed at AAPA LATAM Peru 2025 apareció primero en T21.