Ica Launches 2026-2027 Grape Export Campaign with Shipment to the U.S.

The Peruvian region of Ica officially launched the 2026-2027 grape export campaign with the season's first shipment to the United States. The loading took place at the Port of Paracas, located in Pisco, with the first containers belonging to the companies Siembra Alta and Sociedad Agrícola 3P.

The operation was carried out aboard the container ship MSC Müge, which called at the terminal as part of MSC's Northwest Continent (NWC) service. During the vessel's port call, more than 200 containers of various fruits were handled, and 250 empty containers were restocked to supply exporters throughout the campaign. The MSC Müge is a newly built vessel making its first voyage along the west coast of South America, with a length overall of 335 meters, a beam of 46 meters, a deadweight capacity of up to 131,000 tonnes, and a maximum speed of 20 knots.

This marks the first grape campaign handled by the Paracas Port Terminal since its acquisition by Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), the port operator affiliated with MSC. The deal was agreed in December 2025 by the terminal's previous shareholders, the Spanish group Servinoga and the Brazilian firms Pattac and Tucumann, and in February 2026 Indecopi approved the transaction without conditions. According to sources cited by apam_nacionales, the deal reportedly closed for an amount close to US$200 million.

TiL ranks among the world's largest port operators, with MSC—the Swiss shipping line with a presence in 155 countries—as its main shareholder, holding 70% of the company. Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), now owned by BlackRock, holds 20%, and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) holds the remaining 10%. In Peru, TiL also has a presence through APM Terminals Callao, where it participates via Callao Port Holding B.V. with a 36.25% stake.

The change of control comes as the terminal evaluates investments to expand its container cargo handling capacity. In May, the operator submitted a Supporting Technical Report (Informe Técnico Sustentatorio) to Senace, which includes the addition of four cranes: two RTGs, worth US$9.6 million, for the storage yards, and two ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, worth US$23.7 million, for vessel loading and unloading operations. The project will also enable three existing areas to store empty containers, with no physical expansion of the terminal or new civil works, and a projected demand of up to 143,574 TEU per year.