DP World Strengthens Latin America Trade Connectivity with Record Throughput in 2025
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DP World’s port terminals across Latin America achieved record container throughput in 2025, reflecting the impact of major infrastructure investments, stronger trade links between Asia and the Americas, and growing cargo flows driven by nearshoring.
The company reported new records in Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Peru for the second consecutive year, while its terminals in Chile posted the strongest performance in their history. The results follow the completion of several large expansion projects in 2024 and highlight the increasing importance of Latin America in global supply chains.
According to DP World, the growth was supported by expanded port capacity, the arrival of larger vessels, and improved connectivity with Asian markets. These developments have strengthened the region’s role as a strategic gateway for international trade.
In Brazil, the company’s terminal at the Port of Santos handled a record 1.3 million TEUs in 2025, exceeding the 1.25 million TEUs processed in 2024. The facility also managed around five million tons of cellulose cargo, reflecting strong global demand for pulp and paper products. Ongoing expansion projects are expected to increase capacity to 1.7 million TEUs, with a long-term target of 2.1 million TEUs.
The Port of Caucedo in the Dominican Republic also reached a new record, handling 1.76 million TEUs, compared with 1.71 million TEUs the previous year. The increase was driven by higher transshipment volumes and improved service connectivity across the Americas. DP World continues to invest more than $760 million in expanding the port and its surrounding economic zone, aiming to strengthen the country’s role as a regional logistics and manufacturing hub.
In Peru, DP World’s terminal at the Port of Callao surpassed two million TEUs for the first time, becoming the first terminal on South America’s west coast to reach this milestone. The achievement follows the completion of the Bicentennial Pier expansion, which extended berth capacity and allowed the port to accommodate larger container vessels.
Despite handling higher volumes, the Callao terminal also reduced its carbon emissions by approximately 22 percent, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve environmental performance in port operations. A socioeconomic impact study further estimated that DP World’s activities at Callao generated around $23.6 billion in economic activity across Peru in 2024, demonstrating the broader impact of modern port infrastructure on national economies.
Chile also achieved a historic milestone, as DP World’s terminals recorded their highest annual throughput. At San Antonio, volumes reached 835,900 TEUs, representing an 18 percent year-on-year increase, supported by the launch of Chile’s first direct weekly shipping service to Asia. Meanwhile, the Lirquén terminal handled 452,900 TEUs, a 6 percent increase, and expanded its operations by receiving the largest wind turbine components ever delivered to Chile.
Morten Johansen, Chief Operating Officer for DP World in the Americas, said global trade patterns are changing due to nearshoring, route diversification and the use of larger vessels calling at fewer high-performance ports. According to him, DP World is responding by expanding capacity, improving regional connectivity and investing in modern trade infrastructure that supports economic growth and more resilient supply chains across Latin America.
These developments highlight how strategic port investments and improved logistics networks are strengthening Latin America’s position in global maritime trade while supporting long-term economic development across the region.
Image source: dpworld.com
