SOUTH AMERICA

Manta casts around for cargo

16 years ago

The Ecuadorian port of Manta is trying to attract coffee, cacao, banana and fish cargo generated by the Manabí region of the country that is currently shipped out via Guayaquil or Puerto Bolívar.

Port authority officials are speaking to local producers to try and set a mechanism in place that would allow them to handle this traffic.

Upgrading security at the port is seen as a must, while improved container inspection will also be a major consideration in attracting traffic. At present, only CCNI handles containers at Manta, but it is hoped that Maersk will return in 2012.