DP World has completed a US$400 million expansion project at the Port of Callao in Peru, significantly increasing the port’s capacity and operational efficiency. The development, which boosts container handling capacity at the South Terminal by 80 percent, is expected to reinforce Callao’s role as a key gateway for global trade on the west coast of South America.
The expansion matters because it positions the Port of Callao as one of the few ports in South America capable of accommodating three vessels simultaneously or two mega-vessels at once. The annual handling capacity has increased from 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 2.7 million TEUs, and the container yard space now totals 40 hectares.
The Bicentennial Pier expansion project extends the pier from 650 meters to 1,050 meters. According to Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, “The Bicentennial Pier project is a landmark achievement for us in Peru. Our $400 million investment represents our unwavering commitment to supporting the region’s economic growth and solidifying Callao’s position as a premier logistics hub. This project sets a new standard for sustainable port operations in South America, contributing to a greener future for Peru and global trade.”
Carlos Merino, CEO of DP World in Peru and Ecuador, said, “The completion of the Bicentennial Pier expansion marks a pivotal moment for the Peruvian economy. The Port of Callao, handling over 90 percent of the country’s containerized cargo with 60 percent of that moving through the South Terminal, is the economic heart of Peru. This expansion significantly enhances our capacity and operational efficiency. In conjunction with other DP World ports in the region, it solidifies our commitment to enhancing connectivity and economic vitality across Peru and the entire region.”
The project also introduces electric-powered equipment including 15 electric cranes and 20 electric internal transport vehicles (ITVs), making Callao reportedly the first port terminal globally to acquire such a fleet. Merino said, “This expansion is not just about increasing capacity; it’s about setting a new standard for port infrastructure in South America. By integrating state-of-the-art electric-powered equipment and implementing sustainable practices, we are leading the way towards a greener and more efficient future for global trade.”
Additionally, DP World reports that Callao now hosts Latin America’s first electric charging station for trucks—a two-megawatt facility intended to support its fleet of electric ITVs—aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 2,000 tonnes per year.
