Peru's ancient Chancay civilization, once known for its agricultural ingenuity, is now witnessing a 21st-century renaissance with the rise of Chancay Port – a $3.5 billion megaproject reshaping global maritime trade. Launched in 2021, this deep-water port has slashed shipping times to Shanghai to just 23 days while reducing logistics costs by 20%, creating what analysts call 'the Suez Canal effect for South America-Asia trade.'
Shanghai Customs data reveals the route's growing clout: 78,000 tonnes of goods worth $240 million moved through the Chancay-Shanghai corridor in early 2025. The port's strategic position 58 km north of Lima positions it as a critical node in APEC supply chains, particularly for copper exports from the Andean region.
'This isn't just infrastructure – it's cultural revival through commerce,' says Lima-based trade analyst Marco Tello. 'The same coastal valleys that sustained pre-Columbian civilizations now host APEC's newest trade artery.' The project has already generated 5,000 local jobs, with 80% going to Peruvian workers.
