UN/LOCODE: PESVY📍 Peru
Port of Salaverry (UN/LOCODE PESVY)
❖ Coordinates: -8.2141°N, -78.9769°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Lima
❖ UN/LOCODE: PESVY
## About the Port
Located on the Pacific coast of northern Peru, **Port of Salaverry (UN/LOCODE: PESVY)** serves the La Libertad region’s capital, Trujillo, and its hinterland. The port sits at latitude **‑8.2141205** and longitude **‑78.9768999**, operating under the **America/Lima** time zone (UTC‑5). Managed by the private operator **Terminal Salaverry**, the facility combines container handling, bulk cargo berths, and a modest passenger terminal, making it a versatile node in Peru’s maritime logistics network. Its strategic position—approximately 180 km north of the larger Callao Port—offers shorter berth waiting times and lower transshipment costs for regional exporters and importers.
Key identifiers:
- **Country:** Peru
- **Region:** La Libertad
- **Port Code:** PESVY
- **Draft:** 13 m (average)
- **Navigational Channel:** 30 km of dredged approach, maintained at a depth of 13 m to accommodate vessels up to 70 000 DWT.
The port’s catchment area includes the agricultural valleys of the Chicama, Moche, and Santa rivers, as well as the mining districts of the Andes foothills, linking sea‑borne trade to inland multimodal corridors.
---
## History
### Early Development (19th century – 1930s)
Salaverry’s origins trace back to the mid‑1800s when the Peruvian government identified the natural harbor as a relief point for Callao during the War of the Pacific. Initial infrastructure consisted of a modest jetty and a customs office, supporting export of **cotton, sugar, and mineral concentrates** from the La Libertad hinterland.
### Mid‑20th‑Century Expansion (1940s – 1970s)
Post‑World War II economic policies spurred a series of public‑private partnerships. In **1954**, the Ministry of Public Works commissioned the first **granite‑lined quay**, extending berth length to 260 m. The 1960s saw the introduction of a **grain elevator** for export of Andean quinoa and barley, reflecting Peru’s diversification into high‑value agricultural commodities.
### Modernization Era (1980s – Present)
The 1980s marked a turning point with the **National Port Authority (Autoridad Portuaria Nacional)** adopting a concession model. In **1993**, the concession was granted to a consortium led by Grupo La Unión, which invested US$120 million in **container cranes, mechanized cargo handling systems, and a dedicated refrigerated storage area**. The latest upgrade, completed in **2022**, added a **deep‑draft berth (15 m)** to accommodate Panamax vessels, cementing Salaverry’s role as a secondary hub for the Pacific corridor.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Quays
| Berth | Length (m) | Depth (m) | Primary Cargo | Equipment |
|-------|------------|-----------|---------------|-----------|
| 1 – Container | 280 | 13 | TEU containers | 2 x Super‑Post‑Panamax gantry cranes (45 t) |
| 2 – General Cargo | 210 | 12 | Breakbulk, project cargo | Mobile gantry crane (20 t) |
| 3 – Bulk & Grain | 180 | 13 | Grain, fertilizers | Grain elevators (3 Mt/yr) |
| 4 – Ro‑Ro / Passengers | 150 | 10 | Vehicles, cruise | Ramps, passenger terminal (300 pax) |
| 5 – Deep‑Draft (new) | 340 | 15 | Panamax vessels | 2 x STS (ship‑to‑ship) cranes |
### Storage & Handling
- **Container Yard:** 250,000 m² with 15,000 TEU capacity, equipped with **automated gate systems** and **RTG (Rubber‑Tired Gantry) cranes**.
- **Bulk Silos:** 5 silos, total capacity 180 kt, equipped with pneumatic unloading booms for cereals and mineral powders.
- **Cold Chain:** 12,000 m² of refrigerated warehouses, supporting perishable exports such as **fishmeal, shrimp, and fresh produce**.
- **Road & Rail Connectivity:** Direct access to **Highway 1 (Pan‑American Highway)** and a 3 km rail spur linking to the **Trujillo–Cerro Negro railway**, facilitating intermodal transfers.
### Support Services
- **Customs & Quarantine:** 24‑hour staffed **SUNAT** (Peruvian Tax Administration) facilities with pre‑clearance capability for rapid cargo release.
- **Pilotage & Tugs:** Four ocean‑class tugs (3,500 hp) providing safe berthing in the often‑swell-prone coastline.
- **Safety & Environmental:** ISO 14001 certified environmental management system, on‑site **oil spill response unit**, and an **automatic identification system (AIS)** monitoring hub.
For a detailed technical data sheet, see the **International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) profile↗**.
---
## Economic Importance
### Regional Supply Chain Anchor
Salaverry functions as the **primary maritime gateway for the La Libertad region**, supporting an estimated **US$4.2 billion** in annual trade value (2023). The port’s mixed‑cargo capabilities enable simultaneous handling of **agricultural, mineral, and manufactured products**, reducing dependency on a single commodity and enhancing supply‑chain resilience.
### Employment & Fiscal Impact
- **Direct Jobs:** Approximately 2,800 positions in dock operations, logistics, and administrative services.
- **Indirect Employment:** Over 12,000 jobs generated in ancillary sectors such as trucking, warehousing, and customs brokerage.
- **Revenue:** Generates roughly **S/. 210 million** in port fees and service charges, contributing significantly to the **Regional Government’s fiscal budget**.
### Strategic Role in Peru’s Trade Policy
Under Peru’s **“Maritime Corridor Initiative,”** Salaverry is earmarked as a **“secondary hub”** to decongest Callao, enabling the country to meet the **ASEAN‑Peru Free Trade Agreement** cargo surge targets. The port’s deep‑draft berth aligns with the government’s **“Blue Economy”** agenda, positioning it to attract **foreign direct investment (FDI)** in high‑value processing (e.g., fish processing, agro‑industry).
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Shipping Lanes
| Origin/Destination | Ocean Route | Vessel Type | Frequency |
|--------------------|-------------|-------------|-----------|
| Shanghai, China | Pacific – Panama Canal | Container ship (10,000 TEU) | 4 calls/mo |
| Rotterdam, NL | Pacific – Suez Canal | Bulk carrier (70,000 DWT) | 2 calls/mo |
| Santos, Brazil | Pacific – South Atlantic | Ro‑Ro (2,000 GT) | 6 calls/mo |
| Los Angeles, USA | Pacific coastal | Feeder container (2,500 TEU) | 8 calls/mo |
The port’s **container traffic** is dominated by **East‑Asian imports** (electronics, automotive parts) and **South‑American exports** (cereals, fishmeal). **Bulk cargo** primarily consists of **copper concentrate, limestone, and fertilizer**, reflecting the region’s mining and agricultural profiles.
### Top Five Cargo Commodities (2023)
1. **Fishmeal & Frozen Seafood** – 1.4 Mt (≈35 % of total tonnage)
2. **Grains (Quinoa, Barley, Wheat)** – 0.9 Mt
3. **Copper Concentrate** – 0.6 Mt
4. **Cement & Construction Materials** – 0.4 Mt
5. **Automotive Components** – 0.3 Mt
The **refrigerated cargo segment** has grown at an average annual rate of **7 %** since 2018, driven by expanding demand for Peruvian seafood in the **European Union** and **Japan** markets. Likewise, the **containerized import portfolio** shows a rising share of **high‑tech goods**, aligning with Peru’s emerging **digital manufacturing** sector.
### Future Route Prospects
- **Trans‑Pacific Green Corridor:** A proposed partnership with **Chile’s Port of Valparaíso** to develop a low‑carbon shipping lane for **green hydrogen** and **ammonia** exports.
- **Inland Corridor to the Andes:** Completion of the **Trujillo–Huancabamba railway** (expected 2028) will link Salaverry directly to mineral‑rich districts, shortening over‑land haulage by 40 %.
For additional insights on regional maritime traffic, refer to the **UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2024↗**.
---
**Keywords:** Salaverry port, PESVY, La Libertad maritime hub, Peru container terminal, Pacific trade routes, deep‑draft berth, Peruvian export logistics, maritime infrastructure, cargo handling facilities, secondary Pacific gateway.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
PESVY
Country
Peru
Province / Region
La Libertad
Latitude
-8.214120
Longitude
-78.976900
Timezone
America/Lima
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Salaverry?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Salaverry is PESVY.
Where is Port of Salaverry located?
The Port of Salaverry is located in Peru, La Libertad. Its coordinates are -8.2141°N, -78.9769°E.
What time zone is Port of Salaverry in?
Port of Salaverry operates in the America/Lima time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Salaverry.
Puerto Chicama
Peru • 45 km awayChimbote
Peru • 104 km awayPacasmayo
Peru • 111 km awaySan Nicolas
Peru • 260 km away