The construction of the Chancay mega-port. Latin America, the great emerging market

Before referring to the strategic importance of the so-called "mega port of Chancay", that is, its logistic value in the configuration of a world that is decentralizing, according to a multipolar global reality and in the deepening of commercial activities between Latin America and China "the Asian giant", it is essential to understand that the construction of ports has as its main objective, to create structures that favor the transfer of passengers and goods between sea and land, and vice versa. These infrastructures are of vital importance for the development of logistic flows, since they are connectors of the entry and exit of goods, serving as strategic points of production, distribution and transportation systems at international level.

As they are points that make the departure and arrival of maritime transport viable, to mention just one example of their logistic function, ports have a great competitive advantage when it comes to maximizing management operations on manufactured goods, enhancing commercial processes. The tasks of embarkation, disembarkation, transfer of passengers and cargo, storage and warehousing are essential for the effective operation of the activities that make trade between countries possible. Its logistic function transcends the handling, manufacturing and distribution processes, exhibiting a multifunctional character that permeates the productive and logistic field, expressed in tourist, industrial and business activities, which surpass the traditional idea of mere facilitator of modal exchange processes and globalization processes.

To learn a little more about the activities carried out in these immense structures, it is important to know that they integrate three large areas or zones: the maritime zone, the terrestrial zone and the connectivity zone.

The first of these refers to the physical infrastructure that makes it possible for vessels to access the port itself. The second is related to the maneuvering work at dock level, the boarding and alighting of passengers, and the equipment and mechanics of cranes, winches (lifting equipment), suction devices, pumps and all types of storage for receiving goods. Finally, the third one, related to different infrastructures that allow the operations of land transportation means (railroads and auto transports). Specifically, this includes towing equipment for loading or unloading goods from vessels and parking lots and access roads and platforms that connect to storage areas.

The above reflects the fact that the construction of ports is a truly costly and ambitious type of engineering work, which requires the deployment of planning and logistics strategies, manpower and resources that allow the creation of facilities and equipment necessary to facilitate the transportation and commercialization of goods.

Now, regarding the possibility of materializing the thesis, which envisions the conversion of Peru as the main logistics center of the Pacific in Latin America, through the implementation of the mega-port of Chancay (called the Shanghai of South America), in charge of the Chinese company, Cosco Shipping, experts are beginning to circulate opinions that point out that its construction, which is estimated to cost approximately 3.600 million US dollars (US$), will not only be a factor in boosting exports and streamlining the economy through the generation of thousands of jobs; it will also meet the growth of port demand, reducing the costs of the national and international market and allowing, in turn, the arrival of large vessels (up to 18,000 TEU). According to information from the Peruvian Ministry of Transportation and Communications, this will allow the possibility of redistributing cargo to other countries, such as Chile, Ecuador and Colombia, receiving the largest ships in the world, with a transport capacity of 18,000 containers.

The possibility of building a free trade zone around Chancay reflects a history of good relations between Peru and China. In this regard, it is important to remember that Peru was the first country with which China signed the first free trade agreement in Latin America (April 28, 2009), which makes it possible that the main market for Peru's exports is China, making the Asian country the source of its investments for more than 8 consecutive years.

In order for this mega-port to become the first logistic center of the South American Pacific, it is of interest to specify a little what will be its constitution. Let us look at its three major components:

● The port operational area: composed of jetty-type piers (which emerge from the land to the sea, perpendicularly or with a slight slope), maritime entrance channels, maintenance and storage areas for containers.

● Entrance complex: which includes the vehicular pre-port, with entrance gates and an area for customs inspection; other areas for logistics services and administrative and support offices.

The subway tunnel: it will serve as a connector between the entrance complex and the port's operational area. With a length of 1.8 kilometers and a depth of 18 meters, it will form an exclusive road corridor for cargo traffic, linked to the port operation and made up of three vehicular lanes, two lanes for solid bulk transport and pipes for liquid bulk.  

As can be seen, this is both a global initiative of the Chinese State and a strategic development to the north of Lima, which, unequivocally, will constitute a fundamental ally in logistics, port and industrial matters, exhibiting a major construction, through which it will try to mobilize one million containers per year. 

The Chancay mega-port, in its two dimensions: the port and the logistics complex, are part of an advanced initiative focused on free trade, greater financial integration, greater investment in infrastructure and, of course, greater connectivity of the Chinese State worldwide, whose support, in this new opportunity, is carried out with the collaboration of the Peruvian government.  

Latin America continues to advance as the emerging market with the greatest potential in the world. The port of Chancay represents an opportunity in the continent, which will positively transform the commercial exchange and the development of a variety of industries, which will have alternatives to expand and accelerate their operations in the region.