Chilean business associations are critical of the measure, as they warn of job losses and the impact on the volume of shipments from Lirquén, which reached more than US$8.000 billion in three years.

In Chile, concern is growing following the announcement by a major Chinese shipping company that it has decided to cancel its direct transoceanic route from Asia to the Lirquén maritime terminal in the Bío Bío region in favor of the Chancay Megaport.

This fact highlights the growing loss of competitiveness of Chilean ports in the context of Asia-Pacific maritime trade. In addition, it reinforces the emerging position of the Chancay Multipurpose Terminal to become the new port hub of South America.

What motivates the Chinese shipping company to choose the Chancay Megaport as its new route?
Chancay Express is the new service to be launched by the company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL). This service will depart from Peru to San Antonio and Lirquén, before returning to the country and continuing its journey to China, which ensures a much more direct route to Asian markets. With this initiative, the transoceanic route that connected the Asian giant with the terminal in the Bio Bio region is eliminated.

When will this new service from Chancay Megaport begin?
It has been reported that the direct route from Chilean ports to China will be eliminated, effective from March 2026. On the other hand, it is indicated that the port of Lirquén has reached a shipment volume exceeding US$8.000 billion in the last three years, which could be compromised next year.

What are the concerns from Chile regarding the recent preference for the Chancay Megaport?
Various business associations in Chile have expressed their concern about this decision, as they highlight the possible repercussions on local employment. The president of the CPC Bío Bío, Álvaro Ananías, stressed that this measure will affect both the amount of cargo that can be dispatched from the area and the availability of jobs.

In turn, the leader of Asexma, Alfredo Meneses, an organization that brings together exporters of manufactured goods from Bío Bío, stated that this situation is due to the conception of the Peruvian port as a strategic logistics center. “Chile has, unfortunately, been relegated and our cargo will have to arrive at Chancay and from Chancay to China,” Meneses pointed out.

Could Chilean ports overcome this situation?
DP World Lirquén's Director of Operations, Francisco Verscheure, highlighted the dynamic nature of the global logistics market, which is why he believes that Chile is immersed in this trend. He also stated that DP World Lirquén, which manages a variety of regular services, operates around 150 container ships annually, which is why it is consolidated as a key player in international trade in the central-southern region of the country.