COSCO Shipping’s strategy with the Chancay Port in Peru has Chile on edge as it reshapes South America’s maritime trade dynamics. The newly inaugurated Chancay Port is backed by $3.6 billion in Chinese investment and operated by Chinese COSCO Shipping Ports.
It is designed to handle massive Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs), a capability unmatched by Chilean ports like San Antonio and Valparaíso. This development threatens to shift significant cargo traffic away from Chile. It undermines the country’s position as a key player in regional trade.
The launch of the “Chancay Express” service highlights this shift. Starting March 2025, the service will connect Chancay with Chilean ports Lirquén and San Antonio on a biweekly schedule using the Lakonia, a vessel with a 2,586 TEU capacity.
In addition, the route will streamline cargo movement between South America and Asia. It will reduce shipping times to China from 35 to 23 days and cut transportation costs by 30%.
As Chancay positions itself as a hub for transshipment cargo, Chilean ports risk losing relevance. This could impact their position in the competitive trade landscape.
Chilean industries, particularly exporters of fruit and other goods reliant on efficient logistics, have expressed concerns. They worry about rising costs and logistical inefficiencies.
Chile’s Port Infrastructure Challenge
The Federation of Fruit Producers of Chile (Fedefruta) warned that delays in modernizing Chile’s port infrastructure could further erode its competitiveness.
Meanwhile, Ecuador and other neighboring countries are exploring Chancay as a gateway for their exports to Asia. They aim to leverage its advanced facilities and strategic location.
Chancay’s ability to accommodate ULCVs gives it a significant edge over Chilean ports. These ports lack the infrastructure to handle such large vessels. This advantage allows Chancay to attract direct routes from Asia, bypassing traditional hubs in North America or Mexico.
Additionally, China’s influence in the region through projects like Chancay raises geopolitical concerns, with critics labeling it part of Beijing’s broader strategy to expand its economic and strategic footprint in Latin America.
As COSCO Shipping consolidates Chancay’s role as a regional logistics hub, Chile faces mounting pressure to upgrade its port infrastructure. Without these upgrades, it risks losing its standing in South America-Asia trade routes.
In short, the stakes are high as regional competition intensifies, and Chancay emerges as a transformative force in Latin American trade.
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