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Investors from India, the US and China have expressed interest in Peru’s proposed Corio port, which could expand shipping capacity and strengthen trade links between South America and Asia
Investors from India, the United States and China have expressed interest in a proposed $844 million port project in southern Peru, as the South American country looks to attract foreign investment in maritime infrastructure and expand trade links with Asia.
The proposed Corio port is drawing interest at a time when Chinese investments in Latin America have become a point of concern for Washington. The project could add to Peru’s port capacity and strengthen shipping links between South America and Asian markets.
Regional governor Rohel Sanchez said several companies had approached authorities about the project. He made the remarks on Monday after signing an agreement with state investment promotion agency Proinversion to showcase the project to domestic and foreign investors.
“We have investors from the US, China and India who are very interested,” Sanchez told reporters. He did not identify the companies involved or disclose the nature of their proposals.
Investors from Turkey and the Netherlands have also shown interest, while South Korean companies are looking at opportunities related to technological development within the proposed logistics park.
Why the Peru port project matters
The proposed Corio port is expected to have a greater draft depth than the Chancay port in northern Peru, which has been operated by China’s Cosco Shipping Ports since late 2024. A deeper draft allows a port to accommodate vessels that extend further below the waterline, potentially enabling it to handle larger ships.
More from BusinessChancay has become an important part of China’s efforts to strengthen trade links with Latin America. The port was inaugurated in November 2024 by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peru’s then president Dina Boluarte through a virtual ceremony. The project was designed to serve as a regional trade hub connecting South America with Asia.
The project was intended to improve maritime connectivity between the two regions and deepen economic ties, particularly between China and resource-rich Latin American countries.
The port’s opening also drew concern from the United States. In November 2024, Brian Nichols, then the US State Department’s top diplomat for Latin America, urged countries in the region to ensure Chinese economic activities complied with local laws and protected human rights and the environment.
Nichols also pointed to Washington’s long-standing relationship with Peru and said the United States would work to ensure Peruvians understood the complexities of dealing with other investors. The comments came as Chinese investment in Latin America was expanding, increasing competition between Washington and Beijing for economic influence in the region.
Copper shipments and trade with Asia
Corio could serve as a terminal for general cargo and containers. Proinversion president Luis del Carpio has also indicated that the port could potentially be used to transport minerals, including copper produced in the surrounding region, to Asian markets.
Peru is a major global copper producer, and the metal is an important raw material for electricity networks, electronics, electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure. Better shipping connections could help facilitate the movement of minerals from South America to manufacturers and buyers in Asia.
Chancay has already established a direct maritime link between South America and Asia, allowing regional exporters to bypass intermediate ports in Mexico and the United States on some routes. The proposed Corio port could provide additional capacity, although its eventual role will depend on investment, construction and commercial demand.
The latest interest in Corio comes as Peru pursues other port investments. In September 2026, the government announced that China’s Jinzhao would begin construction in 2027 of a $405 million port in Marcona, in the Ica region, according to Reuters.
The projects underline Peru’s efforts to expand its maritime infrastructure and connect its mineral-producing regions with international markets.
