Peru’s Chancay Port Overtakes Paita in Container Traffic
PERU · ECONOMY
Key Facts
—The milestone: Chancay has become Peru’s second-busiest container port, passing Paita, after a year in operation.
—The numbers: Chancay moved 99,560 containers in early 2026, ahead of Paita and behind only Callao.
—Who built it: The megaport, north of Lima, was built and is run by China’s Cosco Shipping, at a cost of about US$1.3 billion.
—The link: It offers a direct shipping route to Shanghai, cutting transit time to about 23 days.
—Latin American impact: A new Pacific gateway reshaping how South America’s trade reaches Asia.
Chancay, the Chinese-built megaport north of Lima, has overtaken Paita to become Peru’s second-busiest container port, a sign of how quickly the new terminal is reshaping the country’s trade map.
How Chancay climbed to second place
In the first months of 2026, Chancay handled 99,560 standard containers, moving ahead of the northern port of Paita. That placed it second among Peru’s public terminals, behind only the long-dominant port of Callao.
Callao remains far in front, handling several times Chancay’s volume. But the speed of Chancay’s rise is striking for a terminal that only began commercial operations in 2025.
The shift has reordered the ranking of Peru’s ports. Paita, a key terminal for the country’s north, has slipped to third in container volumes.
A Chinese-built gateway to the Pacific
Chancay was built and is operated by China’s Cosco Shipping, at a cost of about US$1.3 billion for its first phase. It opened in late 2024 and received its commercial license in 2025.
Its main draw is a direct sea route to Shanghai that cuts the journey to about 23 days, with the aim of turning the port into a regional hub for trade between South America and Asia. The operator has said a larger second phase, worth billions more, has not yet been decided.
For the region, the port is a notable new gateway on the Pacific. It also deepens China’s role in South American infrastructure, a trend watched closely by trading partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Chancay achieve?
It overtook Paita to become Peru’s second-busiest container port, handling 99,560 standard containers in early 2026. Only Callao moves more.
Who owns and runs the port?
It was built and is operated by China’s Cosco Shipping, at about US$1.3 billion for the first phase. The port sits north of Lima and opened in late 2024.
Why does the port matter?
It offers a direct route to Shanghai of about 23 days and aims to be a hub for trade between South America and Asia, reshaping how the region’s goods reach the Pacific.
Connected Coverage
For another major regional port story, see our coverage of Brazil’s Port of Santos cargo record. For more on the region’s trade ties with Asia, see our report on Japan’s planned talks with Mercosur.
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