The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) announced on Apr. 15 that public port terminals in the National Port System handled more than 11.8 million metric tons during the first two months of 2026, marking a 5.1% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
This growth highlights the importance of Peru’s ports as key logistical centers for trade and transportation, with increased cargo volumes reflecting expanding commercial activity. The MTC said that Callao Port remains the country’s main logistics hub, noting that its South Zone Container Terminal processed 3,556,423 metric tons while the North Multipurpose Terminal managed another 3,039,045 metric tons. The Matarani Port Terminal registered a total of 1,380,684 metric tons.
Containerized cargo accounted for just over half—51.9% or about 6.17 million metric tons—of all goods moved nationally during this period. Solid bulk made up nearly one-fifth at approximately 2.24 million metric tons; minerals contributed another similar share at around 2.16 million metric tons; general cargo reached roughly 862,662 metric tons; liquid bulk stood at about 354,659 metric tons; and rolling cargo represented around 92,434 metric tons.
In terms of container traffic measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), Peruvian ports reached a total volume of approximately 670,620 TEU for January and February combined. The South Zone Container Terminal led with over half this figure at about 345,197 TEU followed by Callao’s North Multipurpose Terminal with more than 171,000 TEU and Chancay’s Multipurpose Port Terminal handling nearly another seventy thousand TEU. Regional highlights included Paita Port Terminal with close to fifty-eight thousand TEU and General San Martín Port in Ica managing almost twenty-five thousand TEU.
Arrivals to Peruvian ports totaled just under three thousand five hundred vessels during these two months—a rise of over nine percent from last year—with departures increasing by more than ten percent to reach three thousand six hundred five ships.
“The MTC through the National Port Authority reaffirms its commitment to an increasingly dynamic port system that is diversified and prepared to meet global trade demands,” said ministry officials in their statement from Apr. 15: “consolidating Peru as a key logistics hub in the region.” According to the official website, the Ministry supports cultural and social wellbeing by improving national connectivity through enhanced infrastructure; operates service centers such as MAC Lima Este and MAC Lima Sur for public access; regulates transport sectors nationwide as part of Peru’s executive branch; delivers safe infrastructure services promoting integration; serves communities throughout Peru under ministerial guidance; manages multimodal approaches since beginning operations in 1969.
