Manta future still not clear

The award has been heavily criticised and has resulted in both Manta Port Authority and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works having to publicly defend it.

At the same time, they have reiterated that anybody else interested in the concession should submit their proposals.

The port is to be taken forward as a public-private partnership, which will encompass the design, financing, fitting out, the undertaking of additional works, operation and maintenance of the international terminal.

Significantly, Alex Pérez, the deputy transport minister, while making reference to the only bid to have so far been received, noted that, although the country’s president had made this public, it is “only a basis for an initiative, not a limit” and that “this initiative should not be seen as a straightjacket for other bidders; the idea is that everyone can compete, improving on the offer made by Agunsa”.