Carlos Merino, CEO of DP World for Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, explains the reasons for withdrawing from the joint proposal to build the access to the main port. He also anticipates a greater role for cabotage due to the El Niño phenomenon.
Photo: Semana Económica
What measures is DP World adopting to mitigate the impact of the El Niño phenomenon (FEN) on the port logistics chain?
Our ports are fully prepared for any impact from the FEN. The wide variety of services we offer today becomes more relevant because we can provide exporters or importers with options to transport their products by sea.
Will the domestic cabotage service become more relevant?
Cabotage, which was not used before because it had to compete with trucks, will now be vital. Large mass consumption companies are already preparing their plans based on the cabotage option. We have cabotage with Paita. In the north is where we believe the most intense effect will occur. In the south, we do not see it as necessary, but we could also reach there.
In April, DP World formally submitted a request to the MTC to extend its concession period by 30 years. Do you expect to sign the addendum this year?
We are awaiting approval of the Master Plan for the [South Pier] of the Port of Callao. We believe it will be granted by mid-November. After that, the calculations regarding investments and the economic-financial balance of the contract, handled by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, remain. By Q2 2027, we could have good news.
Your proposal includes building the Callao foreport, in whose development APM Terminals is also interested. Would you develop it jointly?
At one point, the possibility of jointly building the foreport was explored. However, due to issues of investment recognition and operational efficiency, we preferred to submit an independent bid, as, I believe, APM Terminals will also do. Then, the State will determine which option generates greater efficiencies.
@SemanaEconomica