South American port development in the context of new trade trends

South America is undergoing a profound reconfiguration of its maritime infrastructure landscape, driven by intensifying geopolitical competition, shifting global trade patterns, and the region’s critical role in supplying resources essential for the global energy transition.

With over US$ 55 billion committed to port refurbishment and expansion through 2025, the continent is positioning itself as a pivotal node in an increasingly multipolar trading system, where China’s influence competes with traditional Western partnerships and where commodity flows are reshaping global supply chain architectures.