Manta concession worries regional rivals

Tide, a subsidiary of Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), intends to convert the port into a transhipment hub facility, which is an ambition shared by other regional ports. However, the port of Buenaventura in Colombia was recently unable to handle current traffic levels

Ecuador has identified the Manta- Manaus port connection project as a priority, stating it will definitely be implemented by 2011. However, this relies heavily on the success of the 30- year concession awarded to HPH, which will invest $523m in Manta, while a further $55m has been pledged by the state.