ICTSI’s port unit in Ecuador gets gov’t nod to serve larger vessels

Contecon Guayaquil SA (CGSA), the largest port concession of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) in the Americas, has recently received the Eduadorian government’s nod to service larger vessels.

In a statement, ICTSI said this further strengthened its market position as the main trading gateway in the entire Ecuador.

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Transport and Public Works, through the Subsecretary of Ports and Maritime Transportation, recently gave its green light for CGSA to accommodate mega vessels of up to 305 meters in length at the Port of Guayaquil’s Berths 2 and 3.

With this, CGSA is now the first and only terminal in Ecuador with the capacity to serve two mega vessels at the same time, resulting in higher efficiency and productivity levels.

“Our public-private partnership in the Port of Guayaquil is one of the most successful concessions in our portfolio,” said ICTSI Chairman and President Enrique K. Razon Jr.

He added that, “the government’s trust, through their approval for CGSA to handle mega vessels, speaks of our excellent track record in operating the port. It represents the harmonious relationships we have with our regulators, shipping line clients, port stakeholders, and our employees.”

“ICTSI is now on its 11th year in Ecuador. We have made strides in the facilitation of trade and commerce, and in supporting the local economy through our investments in port infrastructure and technology. We thank the government for their continued confidence in CGSA and ICTSI,” said ICTSI Head of the Americas Region Anders Kjeldsen.

Ecuador President Lenin Moreno, who visited CGSA last January to inaugurate the port’s expansion, lauded ICTSI’s contribution to the economy especially its investments over and above its contractual commitments.

“In these facilities, the Contecon concessionaire invested US$10 million. This amount is part of the US$325 million they pledged to invest 20 years up to 2027 on Port Authority grounds,” he said.

President Moreno noted though that, “we should highlight that, in these 10 years, Contecon has already invested US$360 million — US$35 million more than expected. Thank you very much for this. Good for the company, for Guayaquil, and for the country.” (JAL)