"Strategic Infrastructure and Logistics Transformation in South America: The Case of the Port of Chancay as a Node of Regional Integration and Global Competitiveness"

Abstract

"The Port of Chancay has emerged as a pivotal infrastructure project redefining South America’s integration into global logistics networks. Positioned along Peru’s central coast, it represents not merely a national investment but a continental gateway connecting the Pacific corridor to Asian and Atlantic markets. This paper analyzes the port’s strategic role within South America’s evolving transport and trade landscape, focusing on its implications for competitiveness, regional interconnectivity, and economic diversification. Integrating frameworks from economic geography, international political economy, and logistics systems analysis, the study explores how Chancay’s development—driven by large-scale foreign investment and advanced maritime engineering—embodies the materialization of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Latin America. The discussion examines opportunities for efficiency gains in multimodal transport, supply chain modernization, and value-added logistics, while addressing governance, sustainability, and resilience challenges that may condition its long-term success. The findings suggest that the Port of Chancay could serve as a transformative catalyst for South American integration and global trade reconfiguration, provided that institutional coordination, technological adaptability, and regional policy coherence are strengthened to ensure inclusive and sustainable outcomes. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026."