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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The Latin American port sector is highly dynamic and is experiencing a period of expansion, motivated by a boom in international trade. However, each port in the region has its own particularities, different needs and problems in its business models that are seen as barriers to its proper development.

Juan Duarte, recently appointed president of the American Association of Port Authorities in its Latin American chapter (AAPA LATAM) , has literally undertaken a journey throughout the region to learn first-hand about the context that exists in ports and countries, but also to introduce a message of unity, cooperation and integration to its leaders and operators .

“We have proposed to go, talk, get to know them, tell them what AAPA LATAM is doing, what the new strategy is, what the recovery is (…) there are a number of services that we are adding now in terms of networking, sustainability, security, digitalization, education, a number of services that we have created specifically for AAPA LATAM members and that are essential for them to see value in the services they receive day to day,” says Duarte in an interview with T21, the first Latin American to preside over the association.

“We are an independent international organization that knows the best practices, that represents the interests of port development and the logistics chain in the Western Hemisphere. AAPA LATAM is willing to come forward in a very respectful, very cordial, very technical, very informed manner, to provide independent value-added opinions on problems or situations that occur in the industry,” he says.

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At the heart of Latin American port activity, Peru is preparing to host the industry’s most anticipated event from June 24 to 27, 2025: AAPA LATAM .

This international meeting promises to be the meeting point for the leaders, innovators and visionaries who are shaping the future of the global port sector.

“Choosing Peru as the host of this emblematic event not only recognizes its strategic location in the Pacific, but also its transformative role in logistics and maritime trade. With infrastructure projects that are redefining the port physiognomy of the region, Peru is consolidating its position as a reference hub in Latin America,” according to a press release from the event organizers.

AAPA LATAM, which has already held 31 editions in different countries in Central and South America, will be attended by more than 600 participants from 30 countries , including port authorities, executives, managers, businessmen and experts in the sector.

“AAPA LATAM is not only a key event for the port industry, but also an opportunity for Peru to demonstrate its leadership in the region. This congress will be a unique space to discuss the most relevant trends and strengthen international cooperation,” according to Juan Duarte, executive president of the Association.

The program will feature discussions on the main topics that concern the sector, an exhibition area where global and regional brands and suppliers will present their innovations, and networking activities designed to strengthen strategic alliances. In addition, participants will be able to enjoy visits to iconic tourist sites in the city of Lima , enriching their experience in one of the most outstanding cultural destinations in Latin America.

But what those in this industry are most looking forward to is touring the main port projects that make Peru stand out, such as the terminals at the port of Callao and the recently inaugurated port of Chancay.

The Port of Callao, a key point in international trade, reflects the country’s commitment to efficiency and sustainability. This port ranks second in Latin America according to the World Container Port Performance Index and continues to expand its capacity to meet the growing demands of global trade. But the real port revolution comes from the Port of Chancay, a project that will directly connect America with Asia, transforming trade routes and attracting the attention of the world.

“We are preparing an unforgettable edition that includes technical visits, an agenda rich in strategic content and networking activities in emblematic venues in Lima. This will undoubtedly be the event that will set the course for the port sector in 2025,” according to Zulma Dinelli, director of the AAPA LATAM congress.

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A delegation from the Latin American division of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA Latino) , led by its president, Juan Duarte, is currently on a working tour of the main port cities in Latin America . The most recent visit was concentrated in Panamanian territory, with representatives of PSA Panama.

Strategically located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, the terminal efficiently connects the world’s main markets , boosting global trade and positioning Panama as a world-class logistics center.

Juan Duarte expressed his satisfaction with the visit to the port and described it as enriching. Enrique Piqueras, general manager, and Any Rodríguez, commercial manager, were present on behalf of PSA Panama.

Regarding the terminal projects, Juan Duarte highlighted the development of human talent that is managed and promoted by PSA Panama. Based on their E-FISH-NCY strategy focused on continuous improvement, “they have achieved great productivity for the interior of the terminal and a positive impact on the country’s logistics chain. Their commitment to a master security plan is quite interesting, along with their digitalization and automation strategy that they are carrying out, which brings with it great productive efficiencies,” Duarte commented, quoted in a press release.

It is worth noting that the terminal has been promoting the human development of local talent for some time. Recently, PSA Panama renewed its agreement with the National Institute of Professional Training and Capacity Building for Human Development for the training of port workers. Regarding investment, the terminal has accumulated more than 600 million dollars, as well as the generation of 900 direct jobs and more than 100 indirect jobs.

Representatives of AAPA Latam presented the guidelines and strategies of the “Renacer AAPA Latinoamérica” plan , where they also indicated the opportunities for development and innovation that may arise from the collaboration between the association and the terminals.

For Duarte, this tour of Latin America is vital for the organization’s work. “We traveled to five countries on the continent, 10 cities, visited and spoke with more than 30 key authorities and port terminals in the sector. With all this networking, we also began to prepare, together with Zulma Dinelli, our AAPA Latam 2025 event, to be held next year in Lima, Peru. I can only thank the reception, the welcome of AAPA Latam’s new strategy and the desire to commit to this new way of working on the part of the main players in the industry,” he said.

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