Peru is located in western South America, bordered by Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Peru has various types of ports due to its extensive coastline along the Pacific Ocean and its inland waterways:
- Sea Ports: Peru has several major sea ports along its coastline, serving as crucial hubs for maritime trade and transportation. Major sea ports include:
- Port of Callao: Located near the capital city of Lima, the Port of Callao is the largest and busiest port in Peru. It handles a wide range of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products.
- Port of Paita: Situated in the northern part of Peru, the Port of Paita is the country’s second-largest port and plays a significant role in facilitating trade with countries in the northern hemisphere.
- Port of Matarani: Located in the southern part of Peru, the Port of Matarani is a key port for the export of minerals, particularly copper, from the Andean region.
- River Ports: While Peru has rivers, they are not extensively navigable for significant distances, and river ports are not prominent in the country’s transportation infrastructure. The focus is primarily on sea ports due to Peru’s extensive coastline and maritime trade.
- Inland Terminals: Inland terminals in Peru serve as important nodes in the country’s transportation network, facilitating the movement of goods within the country and to neighboring regions. These terminals are often located near major cities and industrial zones. Examples include:
- Lurín Inland Port: Located near Lima, the Lurín Inland Port serves as a key logistics hub for the distribution of goods in the central region of Peru.
- Ilo Inland Terminal: Situated near the Port of Matarani, the Ilo Inland Terminal provides connectivity to the hinterland and facilitates the handling of containerized cargo and minerals.
- Border Crossings: Peru has several border crossings with neighboring countries, facilitating land-based trade and transportation. Major border crossings include:
- Desaguadero: This border crossing links Peru with Bolivia and serves as a significant trade route between the two countries, particularly for goods transported by road.
- La Tina: Located on the border with Ecuador, the La Tina crossing facilitates trade and travel between Peru and Ecuador, contributing to regional connectivity and commerce.
List of Largest Ports in Peru
| Port Name | Type of Cargo Ships | Monthly Arrivals |
|---|---|---|
| Callao | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 300 |
| Paita | Container, Bulk | 150 |
| Matarani | Container, Bulk, Tanker | 100 |
| Salaverry | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 80 |
| Ilo | Container, Bulk, Tanker | 70 |
| San Martin | Container, Bulk | 60 |
| Chimbote | Bulk, Ro-Ro | 50 |
| San Juan de Marcona | Bulk, Ro-Ro | 40 |
| Talara | Tanker, Bulk | 30 |
| Pisco | Bulk, Ro-Ro | 25 |
| Huacho | Bulk, Ro-Ro | 20 |
| Puerto Malabrigo | Bulk, Ro-Ro | 15 |
| Puerto Mollendo | Bulk, Ro-Ro | 10 |
| Puerto Chancay | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 8 |
| Puerto General | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 5 |
Major Ports of Peru
1. Port of Callao
The Port of Callao, located near Lima, is the largest and most important seaport in Peru. It handles over 80% of the country’s import and export traffic, making it a key hub for global trade. The port’s infrastructure includes both container terminals and specialized facilities for bulk goods, petroleum products, and chemicals. As the main gateway for goods to and from Peru, Callao is crucial for the country’s economy and serves as a hub for shipping companies operating in the Pacific Ocean.
City Location: Callao, Peru
Latitude: 12.0530° S
Longitude: 77.1180° W
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Lima | 15 | Avenida Argentina |
| Chosica | 40 | Carretera Central |
| Trujillo | 570 | Pan-American Highway |
| Arequipa | 1,000 | Pan-American Highway |
| Pisco | 230 | Pan-American Highway |
| Ica | 300 | Pan-American Highway |
| Huaraz | 320 | Carretera Huaraz-Lima |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Callao Railway Station (Peru)
- Lima Railway Station (Peru)
- Trujillo Railway Station (Peru)
- Pisco Railway Station (Peru)
- Arequipa Railway Station (Peru)
2. Port of Matarani
Located on the southern coast of Peru, Matarani is a key seaport for the export of Peru’s minerals, particularly copper, as well as agricultural products such as coffee and cotton. The port has undergone significant upgrades in recent years, including the expansion of its container and bulk terminals. Matarani’s role in the mineral export sector has made it one of the busiest ports in the southern region of Peru.
City Location: Matarani, Peru
Latitude: 17.0100° S
Longitude: 72.0500° W
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Arequipa | 135 | Pan-American Highway |
| Ilo | 40 | Pan-American Highway |
| Moquegua | 90 | Pan-American Highway |
| Tacna | 110 | Pan-American Highway |
| Puno | 320 | Pan-American Highway |
| Cusco | 510 | Pan-American Highway |
| Lima | 1,100 | Pan-American Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Matarani Railway Station (Peru)
- Ilo Railway Station (Peru)
- Moquegua Railway Station (Peru)
- Arequipa Railway Station (Peru)
- Tacna Railway Station (Peru)
3. Port of Paita
Paita is located on the northern coast of Peru and is a key port for the export of seafood products, particularly fishmeal and fish oil, as well as agricultural goods such as cotton and sugar. The port also handles containers and bulk cargo. Paita plays a significant role in the Peruvian fishing industry, making it essential for regional trade and for Peru’s economy in general.
City Location: Paita, Peru
Latitude: 5.0900° S
Longitude: 81.1000° W
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Piura | 60 | Pan-American Highway |
| Talara | 50 | Pan-American Highway |
| Trujillo | 440 | Pan-American Highway |
| Chiclayo | 270 | Pan-American Highway |
| Tumbes | 250 | Pan-American Highway |
| Lima | 1,000 | Pan-American Highway |
| Cajamarca | 470 | Pan-American Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Paita Railway Station (Peru)
- Piura Railway Station (Peru)
- Talara Railway Station (Peru)
- Trujillo Railway Station (Peru)
- Chiclayo Railway Station (Peru)
4. Port of Ilo
Ilo is a small but important port located on the southern coast of Peru. It serves as a hub for exporting copper and other mining products, along with seafood and agricultural products. The port is essential for regional trade, particularly for industries located in southern Peru. It is connected to the Pan-American Highway, providing easy access to inland markets and facilitating trade with Chile and Bolivia.
City Location: Ilo, Peru
Latitude: 17.6500° S
Longitude: 71.3400° W
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Moquegua | 60 | Pan-American Highway |
| Arequipa | 250 | Pan-American Highway |
| Tacna | 320 | Pan-American Highway |
| Puno | 530 | Pan-American Highway |
| Cusco | 650 | Pan-American Highway |
| Lima | 1,300 | Pan-American Highway |
| Arequipa | 250 | Pan-American Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Ilo Railway Station (Peru)
- Moquegua Railway Station (Peru)
- Tacna Railway Station (Peru)
- Arequipa Railway Station (Peru)
- Puno Railway Station (Peru)
5. Port of Talara
Talara, located in the northern part of Peru, is an important port primarily for the oil industry. The port handles oil exports, as well as related products such as chemicals and petroleum derivatives. In addition to its oil-related cargo, Talara also serves the fishing industry and exports seafood products such as fishmeal and fish oil.
City Location: Talara, Peru
Latitude: 4.5830° S
Longitude: 81.2750° W
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Piura | 160 | Pan-American Highway |
| Paita | 50 | Pan-American Highway |
| Chiclayo | 320 | Pan-American Highway |
| Trujillo | 530 | Pan-American Highway |
| Tumbes | 330 | Pan-American Highway |
| Lima | 1,200 | Pan-American Highway |
| Cajamarca | 700 | Pan-American Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Talara Railway Station (Peru)
- Piura Railway Station (Peru)
- Paita Railway Station (Peru)
- Chiclayo Railway Station (Peru)
- Trujillo Railway Station (Peru)
6. Port of Chimbote
Chimbote is located on the northern coast of Peru and serves as one of the largest fishing ports in the country. The port specializes in the export of fishmeal and fish oil, which are key exports for Peru. Chimbote also handles bulk cargo, including cement, steel, and petroleum products. The city is an important industrial center and contributes significantly to Peru’s economy.
City Location: Chimbote, Peru
Latitude: 9.0730° S
Longitude: 78.5740° W
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Trujillo | 160 | Pan-American Highway |
| Lima | 370 | Pan-American Highway |
| Huaraz | 330 | Pan-American Highway |
| Cajamarca | 580 | Pan-American Highway |
| Chimbote | 0 | Pan-American Highway |
| Ancash | 160 | Pan-American Highway |
| Pacasmayo | 110 | Pan-American Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Chimbote Railway Station (Peru)
- Trujillo Railway Station (Peru)
- Lima Railway Station (Peru)
- Pacasmayo Railway Station (Peru)
- Huaraz Railway Station (Peru)
7. Port of Pucusana
Pucusana is a small but important fishing port located south of Lima. The port is crucial for the export of fishmeal and fish oil, which are major exports for Peru. Pucusana is one of the key points for Peru’s fishing fleet to dock and offload catches. The city’s port facilities also handle smaller cargo shipments, supporting the local economy.
City Location: Pucusana, Peru
Latitude: 12.7860° S
Longitude: 77.2350° W
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Lima | 55 | Pan-American Highway |
| San Vicente | 30 | Pan-American Highway |
| Chorrillos | 40 | Pan-American Highway |
| Lurin | 50 | Pan-American Highway |
| Cañete | 120 | Pan-American Highway |
| Pisco | 230 | Pan-American Highway |
| Paracas | 240 | Pan-American Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Pucusana Railway Station (Peru)
- Lima Railway Station (Peru)
- Chorrillos Railway Station (Peru)
- Cañete Railway Station (Peru)
- Pisco Railway Station (Peru)
8. Port of Iquitos
Iquitos is located on the Amazon River, deep in the Peruvian jungle. It is the largest city in the Amazon basin and serves as the primary port for the northeastern region of Peru. While the port handles a limited amount of cargo compared to other Peruvian ports, it plays a crucial role in the transportation of goods such as timber, rubber, and agricultural products from the Amazon region.
City Location: Iquitos, Peru
Latitude: 3.7490° S
Longitude: 73.2537° W
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Nauta | 95 | Route 1 |
| Pucallpa | 600 | Route 5 |
| Tarapoto | 700 | Route 5 |
| Yurimaguas | 250 | Route 8 |
| Jaén | 1,000 | Route 10 |
| Tingo María | 850 | Route 8 |
| Pucallpa | 600 | Route 5 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Iquitos Railway Station (Peru)
- Nauta Railway Station (Peru)
- Pucallpa Railway Station (Peru)
- Tarapoto Railway Station (Peru)
- Jaén Railway Station (Peru)