In Chile, concern grows after the announcement of an important Chinese shipping company which has decided to cancel its direct transoceanic route from Asia to the Maritime Terminal of Lirquén, in the Bío Bío region, in favor of the Chancay Megaport.
This fact shows the growing loss of competitiveness of Chilean ports in the context of the maritime trade of Asia-Pacific. In addition, this reinforces the incipient position of Chancay’s multipurpose terminal to become the new ‘port hub’ of South America.
What motivates the Chinese shipping company to choose the Chancay Megapuerto as its new route?
Chancay Express It is the new service that will launch the company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL). This service will leave from Peru to San Antonio and Lirquén, before returning to the country and continuing its journey to Chinawhich ensures a much more direct route towards Asian markets. With this initiative, the transoceanic route that connected the Asian giant with the terminal in the Bio Bío region is eliminated.
From when will this new service begin from the Megapuerto de Chancay?
It has been reported that the direct route from the Chilean ports to China It will be eliminated, with effect as of March 2026. On the other hand, it is indicated that the port of Lirquén has reached a volume of shipments that exceeds US $ 8,000 million in the last three years, which could be compromised next year.
What are the concerns from Chile about the recent preference for the Megapuerto de Chancay?
Different Business Guilds in Chile expressed their concern to this decision, since the possible repercussions on the employment local. The president of the CPC Bío Bío, Álvaro Ananías, stressed that this measure will affect both the amount of burden which can be dispatched from the area as the availability of jobs.
In turn, Asexma leader Alfredo Meneses, an organization that brings together manufacturing exporters of Bío Bío, said that this situation is due to the conception of the Peruvian port as a center Strategic logistics. “Chile is, unfortunately, it has been relegated and our charges will have to get to Chancay and Chancay to China,” Meneses said.
Can Chilean ports overcome this situation?
DP World Lirquén Operations Director, Francisco Verscheure, highlighted the dynamic nature of the global logistics market, so he considers that Chile is immersed in this trend. He also assured that DP World Lirquén, which manages a variety of regular services, operates annually about 150 container ships, so it is consolidated as a key actor in the international trade in the country’s central region in the country.
Source: Larepublica
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