SOUTH AMERICA

Controversy surrounds possible Guayaquil relocation

13 years ago

The president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, has stated that the existing port of Guayaquil must be relocated outside the Gulf of Guayaquil, prompting the mayor, Jaime Nebot, to suggest that, in future, this would mean that port traffic would be limited to cabotage with the Galapagos Islands and tourism.

The mayor’s preferred location would be at Porsorja, where DP World has been linked with possible investment. Indeed, a study undertaken by consultants Ineco on behalf of the Ministry of Transport suggested that a deep water facility should be created somewhere between Porsorja and Chanduy.

The government has also announced that is to invest $70m to dredge the port of Manta to a depth of 15m, thereby allowing a new deepwater container terminal to be built there capable of handling 600,000 teu annually.

Another initiative would also see ports specialising in various commodities. Port Bolívar’s speciality would be fruit where, along with Guayaquil, it dominates the banana market. As for Esmeraldas, this would look after imported finished vehicles, along with existing strengths in palm oil and timber. Specialisation, it is argued, will help reduce costs.