Ecuador’s Port of Guayaquil is set to receive US£18m investment to boost its capacity to handle neopanamax vessels.
Contecon Guayaquil S.A. (CGSA), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) subsidiary in Ecuador, will carry out the work in three stages. Stage one will raise the height of quay cranes 5 and 6 from 42m to 52m, and extend their boom lengths from 50m to 56m (20 rows). The second stage involves works to reinforce the docks, while stage three will further deepen Pier 1’s draft to 13.5m.
“This is a decisive complement to the joint commitment we have made to achieve great objectives in pursuit of the development of this sector,” said José Antonio Contreras, CGSA general manager, who signed the contract together with Gabriel Martínez, Ecuador’s Minister of Transportation and Public Works.
CGSA started servicing neopanamax vessels in 2019, becoming the first port in the country capable of handling this large class of containerships following the dredging of the 95km access channel leading to the Port of Guayaquil.
Beyond the contract, CGSA plans to increase the total investment amount to US$30m as part of its commitment to enable and promote Ecuador’s foreign trade.
CGSA has been operating at the Port of Guayaquil since 2007 under a 20-year concession. Last December, the Autoridad Portuaria de Guayaquil extended the concession period for another 20 years, allowing the company to operate until 2047.
