DP World terminal increases container traffic agricultural exports in Peru

PERU – Container traffic at DP World’s terminal in the Port of Callao has risen by 19% over the past year, following the expansion of the Bicentennial Pier.

The terminal processed a record 1.96 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, marking its highest annual throughput to date.

This follows a major infrastructure upgrade completed in June 2024 that has increased operational capacity at the South Pier by 80%.

The expanded pier now measures more than one kilometre and has the capacity to handle three ultra-large container vessels at the same time.

Annual capacity has also grown to nearly 3 million TEUs, positioning Callao as the largest and most active container terminal in the country.

As a result, the port has been able to accommodate bigger ships and manage higher volumes of cargo, particularly in the agricultural sector.

DP World reports that the terminal facilitated agricultural exports worth approximately US$3.6 billion in 2024.

Among these, blueberry shipments to Asia accounted for around 85% of the national total, while agricultural exports overall made up close to 40% of Peru’s total outbound produce.

Increased trade and local impact

The company says these export levels are helping to connect Peru’s rural economies with international markets.

Beyond export growth, the expansion has created an estimated 3,000 jobs in the Callao area since construction began.

DP World has invested over US$3 billion (since 2010) into the development of the Callao terminal, making it a key logistics hub on South America’s Pacific Coast.

Environmental measures were also included in the project, such as the deployment of hybrid cranes, electric transport units, and the region’s first electric vehicle charging point at a port.

These technologies are part of the company’s effort to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 90% by the end of 2030.

In recognition of its contributions, DP World Callao became the first port terminal to be certified under the Peru Brand.

The company’s CEO for Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, Carlos Merino, said that the expansion has improved the terminal’s role in trade and supply chain efficiency.

He also said that the facility is now better positioned to attract investment and support long-term competitiveness for Peruvian exports.

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