Peru port projects moving steadily forward

DP World, the company in charge of the second stage of the south pier at Peru’s largest port Callao (the so-called bi-centennial pier) is due to finish construction in April 2024. 

And construction of a logistics center that will complement the Chancay megaport north of Lima received environmental approval. 

Those announcements were made by executives who participated in the second day of this year's Miners and Suppliers Meeting (Minpro).

BI-CENTENNIAL PIER

The bi-centennial project, which seeks to expand capacity of the south dock by 80% at the port next to Lima, is advancing and soon machinery and equipment will be installed to take advantage of the already completed infrastructure, according to Nicolas Gauthier (in photo), general manager of DP World Callao.

"We are going to finish the project in 10 months, but we’re not going to wait [all that time] to start installing equipment. In a couple of weeks we’ll start receiving larger vessels. In October we’ll receive new equipment such as cranes, and by the end of 2023 we’ll start the operation of the first phase of this expansion," Gauthier said during his presentation.

According to the executive, construction of 100m of pier is pending of the 400m expansion that will leave the dock with a length of 1,050m. Capex for the second stage exceeds US$350mn and will include a patio of more than 12ha.

According to the company, once the works are finished, three quay cranes and 12 electric cranes will be installed in the patio area.

CHANCAY

The first phase of operations at Chancay are expected to start in the fourth quarter of next year. Capex for this stage is US$1.3bn and there will be 141ha of port area.

Developer Cosco Shipping Ports Chancay has also been building a 1.8km tunnel that will connect the dock to the entrance of the complex. At the end of May, the tunnel – which is 40% complete – suffered a collapse and work was halted. However, the company expects to resume work next month. "The components of the construction of the operational part and the entrance to the complex continue to be developed," said Carlos Tejada, deputy general manager of the company.

The executive also said the industrial park that will be developed in the district (Chancay Park) received environmental approval.

"Around the entrance complex, an 870ha logistics project is being worked on that will include storage and transformation areas ... with the advantage of having all the activity nearby for greater logistics efficiency," added Tejada. He said between 50ha and 70ha of the park will come into operation together with the start of activities at the port.