LIMA (Oct 13): Investors from countries including the US, China and India are interested in a new port project in southern Peru ​estimated to cost around US$844 million (RM3.4 billion), officials said on ‌Monday.

The port is expected to have a greater draft depth than Chancay, the northern Peru port operated by China's Cosco Shipping Ports ​since late 2024, which accommodates large vessels making nonstop ​voyages between South America and Asia.

"Several companies have ⁠approached us," regional governor Rohel Sanchez told reporters after signing ​an agreement with the state agency Proinversion, aimed at showcasing ​the project to domestic and foreign investors.

"We have investors from the US, China and India who are very interested," he added, without identifying ​the specific companies involved.

China has become a key investor ​in Peru at a time when Washington is seeking to curb Beijing's ‌influence ⁠in Latin America, while the Asian nation remains a key market for Peruvian minerals.

While Corio could be a terminal for general cargo and containers, Proinversion president Luis del Carpio ​did not rule ​out its ⁠use for shipping minerals such as copper sourced from the area to Asia.

The government announced ​in September that China's Jinzhao would begin ​construction in ⁠2027 of a US$405 million port in the town of Marcona, in the Ica region.

Sanchez said companies from Türkiye and the ⁠Netherlands ​have also shown interest, as have ​investors from South Korea regarding technological development within the logistics park.

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