APM Terminals announced a $550 million investment to expand the operational capacity of the Port of Callao, one of Peru’s main maritime gateways for international trade. The project is scheduled to begin in January and is expected to take approximately two years to complete.
The investment aims to strengthen the terminal’s infrastructure and increase its capacity to 24,000 containers, according to Fernando Fauche, chief commercial officer of APM Terminals Peru. The announcement was made during an event linked to the launch of new direct arrivals from Asia to the port, located on Peru’s central coast.
The Port of Callao began receiving direct routes from China and South Korea in November, reducing maritime transit times to around 23 days. This improvement represents an important step forward for importers, logistics operators and companies that depend on faster connections with Asian markets.
Port authorities highlighted that the new service will help reinforce commercial ties between Peru and Asia, while also positioning Callao as a strategic entry point for products arriving in the South American Pacific region.
Among the first shipments received were goods from Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Temu. According to Fauche, initial demand has been strong, with shipments already fully booked for the next six weeks.
Callao’s expansion comes at a key moment for Peru’s port infrastructure. At the same time, the country is also advancing the development of the Chancay megaport, a Chinese-built facility located north of Lima. Both APM Terminals and local authorities have stated that the two projects can operate as complementary assets within the national logistics system.
However, some analysts believe that the simultaneous growth of Callao and Chancay could create competition for cargo coming from Asia. As both ports improve their capacity, Peru could become a more contested logistics hub for shipping lines and operators connecting the Pacific with Latin America.
For now, APM Terminals’ investment confirms Callao’s importance within Peru’s trade strategy. The terminal’s modernization, together with the new direct routes from Asia, could reduce transit times, improve port efficiency and strengthen Peru’s role as a regional logistics center.
The investment also reflects the growing relevance of international e-commerce, especially as imports from China continue to expand. If demand maintains its current pace, the Port of Callao could consolidate its position as a key gateway for Asian goods entering the Peruvian market and other destinations across the region.