DP World has handled the largest single maritime delivery of new energy vehicles to Chile, with 1,918 fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles discharged at its multipurpose terminal in San Antonio. The arrival also marked the first call by a BYD car carrier at a Chilean port, with the BYD Changzhou visiting the country as part of its inaugural route to South America.
The vehicles were discharged for distribution across the Chilean market. According to BYD, the shipment represents the largest number of new energy vehicles ever delivered to Chile aboard a single vessel.
The milestone comes as Chile’s electric vehicle (EV) market continues to expand rapidly. According to the Chilean Automotive Association (ANAC), sales increased 165.4% year over year in the first half of 2026, with plug-in vehicles reaching 6.5% of the country's new light- and medium-duty vehicle market.
The operation also reinforces DP World in San Antonio’s position as Chile’s leading gateway for automotive cargo, with more than 95% of the country’s vehicle imports moving through the terminal. Its specialized roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) capabilities, experienced teams and established operating processes enable vehicles to move efficiently and safely from vessel discharge through terminal handling and onward distribution.
Curtis Doiron, CEO of DP World in Chile, said: “The arrival of the BYD Changzhou demonstrates the scale and capability of our automotive operations in San Antonio. As vehicle volumes grow and automotive technology evolves, manufacturers need reliable infrastructure and experienced logistics partners that can handle increasingly complex supply chains. Our team has built deep expertise in automotive logistics, enabling us to connect global manufacturers with the Chilean market safely and efficiently.”
The operation follows another automotive milestone at DP World in San Antonio earlier this year, when the terminal set a new national record for the largest-ever vehicle discharge in Chile. The M/V Morning Lily discharged 6,338 vehicles in a single vessel operation, surpassing the previous Chilean record of 6,185 vehicles, also set at the San Antonio terminal in 2021.
In 2025, DP World handled the arrival and discharge of more than 400 electric buses, destined for delivery throughout the country to support Chile’s push to expand sustainable public transportation beyond major urban centers.
SAN ANTONIO BY THE NUMBERS:
- 1,918: electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles discharged from the BYD Changzhou. The largest NEV shipment delivered to Chile on a single vessel.
- 400+: Electric buses handled for deployment across Chile in 2025, supporting the expansion of sustainable public transportation.
- 95%+: Share of vehicles entering Chile handled through DP World’s San Antonio terminal.
- 6,338: Vehicles discharged from the Morning Lily in February. The largest overall vehicle discharge from a single vessel in Chilean history.
As new energy vehicle adoption expands in Chile, specialized automotive logistics will play an increasingly important role in supporting that growth. Through its multipurpose terminal in San Antonio, DP World provides the infrastructure, expertise and operational capabilities to support automotive supply chains and connect global manufacturers with customers across the Chilean market.
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