The port of Chancay outperforms Chilean ports on the route to Asia

Concern in Chile is growing after a Chinese shipping company announced it had canceled its direct route from Asia to the maritime terminal of Lirquén, in the Bío Bío region, in favor of the Megaport of Chancay in Peru.

This change highlights the decline in the competitiveness of Chilean ports in Asia-Pacific maritime trade. In addition, the Chancay Multipurpose Terminal has positioned itself as a potential ‘port hub’ in South America.

Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) will launch the Chancay Express service. This service will depart from Peru to San Antonio and Lirquén, before returning and continuing to China, ensuring a more direct route to Asian markets. This eliminates the direct transoceanic connection to the terminal in the Bío Bío region.

The new service from Chancay will start in March 2026. Meanwhile, the port of Lirquén has handled shipments that surpass $8 billion in three years, a volume that could be affected.

Chilean entrepreneurs have expressed concern about the repercussions on local employment. Álvaro Ananías, president of the CPC Bío Bío, said the measure will impact the amount of cargo shipped and jobs available.

Alfredo Meneses, leader of Asexma, said this situation was because the Peruvian port is considered a strategic logistics center. “Chile is, unfortunately, being left behind and our cargoes are going to have to go to Chancay and from Chancay to China,” Meneses said.

Francisco Verscheure, Operations Director of DP World Lirquén, highlighted the dynamic nature of the global logistics market and indicated that Chile is also adapting to this trend. He assured that DP World Lirquén, which operates approximately 150 container vessels annually, remains a key player in international trade in the south-central region.

Source: FreshPlaza

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