The Chancay–Shanghai sea route has recorded 5.35 billion yuan in trade, equal to about US$760 million, and 197,000 tons of cargo throughput in its first year of operation. According to Shanghai Customs data cited by the People's Daily, Shanghai's trade with Peru grew 47.1 per cent year on year in the first 10 months of the year, supported by the new corridor.
Chancay Port, located north of Lima, began operations on 14 November 2024. The port is described as a smart port jointly built by China and Peru. Customs services are provided directly inside the terminal, reducing logistics and clearance costs for users. The Chancay–Shanghai route has shortened shipping times from 35 to 40 days to 23 days and cut logistics costs by about 20 per cent.
Exports handled through Chancay include blueberries, avocados, and grapes. These crops are sensitive to long transit times, and the reduction in travel time lowers exposure to price fluctuations and shipment delays. The route also provides a more predictable connection for Latin American supply chains participating in Asian markets.
Peru's broader foreign trade has expanded under these conditions. In the first nine months of the year, exports increased 17.3 per cent, with China remaining the largest destination. Shipments moving through Chancay are also exported onward to markets such as Mexico and the United States.
Chancay has become Peru's third-largest port within a year, increasing throughput and supporting new logistics and industrial activity. The port has also been described as contributing to employment and regional economic development as operations expand. In the first five months of 2025, trade through the Chancay Multipurpose Port Terminal exceeded US$777 million. According to Xinhua, the project is expected to generate US$4.5 billion in annual economic benefit, equal to about 1.8 per cent of Peru's GDP, and create about 8,000 jobs.
The port supports growth in logistics, warehousing, transportation, and manufacturing. The expansion of cold-chain activities and agri-processing is expected to form part of the industrial ecosystem around the terminal. Chancay strengthens Peru's role as a Pacific gateway, improving access for South American produce in Asian markets and supporting regional integration into global supply chains.
Source: Global Times
