The US$3.5 billion mega-port of Chancay in Peru, set to be completed this year and expected to become a key logistics hub in Latin America, will open new opportunities for Việt Nam's logistics industry by enhancing maritime transport connections and facilitating trade between the two regions.

According to experts, designed to handle 1.5 million TEUs annually, Chancay is poised to play a vital role in boosting economic and trade relations between the Southeast Asian nation and its Latin American peers. Forecasts suggest that trade between Việt Nam and Latin America could grow by up to 10 per cent on a yearly basis, provided that improvements in logistics and transport connections are made.

Leveraging the mega-port as an optimal logistics solution, Việt Nam could significantly increase its import-export turnover with Latin American partners, especially in sectors such as industry, agricultural goods, and energy. As a result, Chancay is expected to become a crucial link for economic and trade relations between Việt Nam and Peru in particular and Latin America in general. 

The former will be better positioned to capitalise on existing trade agreements with countries in the region, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Việt Nam-Chile and Việt Nam-Cuba free trade agreements.

Việt Nam's import-export turnover with Latin American countries reached $20.6 billion last year. Its major exports to the region include farm produce, garments-textiles, footwear, processed foods, wood products, electronics and components. Meanwhile, Việt Nam primarily imports raw materials, agricultural products, wood, garment accessories and animal feed.

With new maritime routes connecting Chancay and Việt Nam, Vietnamese businesses can optimise both time and transport costs.

It is estimated that the port could reduce shipping times from the country to Latin America by up to 30 per cent, or even 50 per cent, which could help firms involved save up to 20 per cent in logistics costs compared to traditional routes.

This would enable Việt Nam to export key products like textiles, electronics and agricultural goods (such as rice and coffee) to and import minerals, agricultural products and petroleum from Latin American countries at more competitive costs. — VNS