Peru is strategically located on the Pacific coast, offering significant opportunities for maritime trade and global logistics. The country’s port infrastructure plays a crucial role in its economy, facilitating international trade for various industries, including logistics providers, importers and exporters, manufacturers, and e-commerce businesses. With growing trade volumes and investments in port infrastructure, understanding Peru’s top ports is essential for anyone involved in global logistics, freight forwarding, and customs brokerage.

This blog post will explore the top five major ports in Peru, highlighting their significance, facilities, trade volume, and why they matter to logistics providers and businesses involved in international shipping.

1. Port of Callao

Overview

The Port of Callao, located near the capital city of Lima, is Peru’s largest and busiest port, handling around 80% of the country’s container traffic. It is not only a key maritime hub for Peru but also for the entire Pacific coast of South America. The port connects Peru to the Americas, Asia, and Europe, making it a vital node in global supply chains.

Why the Port of Callao is Important for Freight Forwarders and Logistics Providers

  1. Strategic Location: Callao’s proximity to Lima, the country’s main economic center, makes it a crucial entry and exit point for goods.
  2. Extensive Infrastructure: With modern container terminals and large-scale facilities, the port handles a variety of goods, from raw materials to manufactured products.
  3. Large Cargo Volume: It handles a significant share of Peru’s imports and exports, including minerals, agricultural products, and machinery.
  4. Expansion Plans: Ongoing expansions and modernization projects are aimed at increasing the port’s capacity, which is beneficial for logistics providers seeking reliable and scalable solutions.

Notable Features

  • Annual Cargo Volume: Over 2 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units).
  • Modern Container Terminals: Operated by major international terminal operators such as APM Terminals and DP World.
  • Access to Rail and Road Networks: Efficient connectivity to inland destinations, reducing transit times.

Key Industries Served

  • Mining and Mineral Export: Callao plays a key role in shipping copper, gold, and other minerals, making it critical for companies in the mining industry.
  • Agricultural Exports: Fruits, vegetables, and fish products are major exports handled by Callao.
  • Manufacturing and Electronics: The port serves as an entry point for machinery and electronics from global manufacturers.

Challenges

Although the Port of Callao is the backbone of Peru’s port infrastructure, it faces congestion issues during peak seasons. However, the ongoing expansion projects aim to address these concerns by increasing throughput capacity.

2. Port of Paita

Overview

Located in the northern region of Peru, the Port of Paita is the second-largest port in the country. It plays a pivotal role in facilitating trade between Peru and its international partners, particularly the United States, Asia, and Europe. Paita is known for being the principal port for handling refrigerated cargo, especially agricultural products.

Why the Port of Paita is Important for Importers and Exporters

  1. Refrigerated Cargo: Paita is the main port for shipping Peruvian fruits and vegetables, making it critical for exporters in the agricultural industry.
  2. Proximity to Major Agricultural Regions: Its location near important farming areas allows for quicker and more efficient transportation of perishable goods.
  3. International Trade Connections: The port has strong ties with shipping lines that connect to major markets in North America and Europe.

Notable Features

  • Annual Cargo Volume: Handles over 300,000 TEUs annually.
  • Refrigerated Storage: Advanced facilities for handling perishable goods, with a focus on maintaining the cold chain for exports like mangoes, grapes, and avocados.
  • Free Trade Zone: Paita operates within a special economic zone, offering tax incentives for manufacturers and exporters.

Key Industries Served

  • Agricultural Exports: Fruits, vegetables, and other perishable goods are the main commodities exported through Paita.
  • Textiles and Apparel: Exporters of clothing and textiles also rely on the Port of Paita for international shipments.
  • Seafood: As a fishing hub, Paita also handles exports of seafood products such as fishmeal.

Challenges

While the port is a key hub for agricultural exports, it lacks the scale of Callao, limiting its ability to handle larger volumes of general cargo. However, Paita continues to invest in upgrading its facilities, particularly in the area of cold storage.

3. Port of Matarani

Overview

The Port of Matarani, situated in southern Peru, is a vital maritime gateway for trade between Peru and countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It serves as a critical export point for minerals, making it an essential part of the supply chain for mining companies.

Why the Port of Matarani is Important for Logistics Providers

  1. Mining Exports: Matarani is a key port for exporting copper, silver, and other minerals from Peru’s southern mining regions.
  2. Access to the Pacific Ocean: The port provides direct access to international markets, particularly in Asia.
  3. Specialized Terminals: Matarani offers terminals specifically designed for bulk cargo, such as minerals, which require specialized handling and storage facilities.

Notable Features

  • Annual Cargo Volume: Handles around 6 million tons of cargo per year, much of which is bulk minerals.
  • Specialized Facilities: Includes bulk cargo terminals and storage areas for mineral exports.
  • Regional Connectivity: Provides strong connections to southern Peru’s mining regions and neighboring countries like Bolivia.

Key Industries Served

  • Mining: The export of minerals such as copper, silver, and zinc is a major activity at Matarani.
  • Agricultural Exports: Southern Peru’s agricultural produce, including grapes and quinoa, is also shipped from Matarani.
  • Industrial Products: The port also handles shipments of industrial goods and equipment.

Challenges

Matarani is well-equipped for bulk cargo, but its container handling capacity is limited compared to larger ports like Callao. The port also faces occasional delays due to weather conditions and labor strikes, which can impact shipping schedules.

4. Port of Ilo

Overview

The Port of Ilo is another southern Peruvian port with significant importance for trade, especially with neighboring countries like Bolivia and Chile. It is a key port for Bolivia’s international trade, providing landlocked Bolivia with access to the sea.

Why the Port of Ilo is Important for Importers and Exporters

  1. Gateway for Bolivia: Ilo serves as Bolivia’s access point for international maritime trade, particularly for industries reliant on importing and exporting goods.
  2. Strategic Location: Its location close to the Chilean border makes it a key player in regional trade.
  3. Recent Developments: The port has seen investments in infrastructure, expanding its capabilities to handle more diverse cargo types.

Notable Features

  • Annual Cargo Volume: Handles over 1 million tons of cargo per year.
  • Inland Connections: Strong road and rail links to Bolivia, making it a critical trade route for the landlocked nation.
  • Recent Expansions: Recent investments have improved the port’s infrastructure, boosting its capacity and efficiency.

Key Industries Served

  • Bolivian Trade: A significant portion of the cargo handled at Ilo is destined for or originates from Bolivia, including consumer goods and industrial equipment.
  • Industrial Exports: Industrial products and raw materials are key commodities handled at Ilo.
  • Fishing Industry: Like many Peruvian ports, Ilo also serves the fishing industry, exporting fishmeal and other seafood products.

Challenges

The Port of Ilo is smaller compared to other major Peruvian ports, and its capacity is still developing. However, its strategic importance for Bolivia and southern Peru ensures its continued growth and investment.

5. Port of Salaverry

Overview

The Port of Salaverry, located in northern Peru, is another significant maritime gateway. It is particularly important for bulk cargo, including agricultural and mineral products. The port is also a key player in Peru’s growing agro-export industry.

Why the Port of Salaverry is Important for Manufacturers and Producers

  1. Bulk Cargo: Salaverry specializes in handling bulk agricultural products, such as grains and sugar, making it critical for exporters in these industries.
  2. Agro-Exports: The port is an essential hub for the export of agro-industrial products from northern Peru.
  3. Growing Capacity: Recent investments have expanded the port’s capabilities, improving efficiency and cargo handling.

Notable Features

  • Annual Cargo Volume: Handles over 2 million tons of cargo annually, much of which is bulk agricultural products.
  • Bulk Handling Facilities: Specialized terminals for grains, sugar, and other agricultural commodities.
  • Growing Infrastructure: Recent expansions have improved its capacity to handle more diverse cargo types.

Key Industries Served

  • Agriculture: Salaverry handles large volumes of agricultural exports, including sugar, grains, and coffee.
  • Mining: The port also plays a role in exporting minerals from northern Peru’s mining regions.
  • Fishing: Like many other Peruvian ports, Salaverry supports the seafood export industry.

Challenges

Salaverry primarily handles bulk cargo, limiting its capacity for large volumes of containerized goods. However, ongoing modernization is expanding its capacity and diversifying cargo handling.

Conclusion

Peru’s major ports, including Callao, Paita, Matarani, Ilo, and Salaverry, play a crucial role in facilitating global trade for industries like mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics. These ports are key for exporters looking to reach international markets and for logistics providers managing complex supply chains.

Each port has its unique strengths, whether it’s the high container capacity at Callao or the specialized bulk cargo facilities at Salaverry. For freight forwarders, customs brokers, importers, and exporters, understanding the capabilities and challenges of each port is essential for optimizing shipping routes, reducing transit times, and ensuring smooth operations.

As Peru continues to invest in its port infrastructure, these maritime gateways will become even more critical in driving the country’s economic growth and supporting global trade.