Manta concession challenged

Interest had been shown by several international operators, including Ultramar, SAAM and Empresas Navieras; DP World; Ports America; and China Merchants. In addition, a bid was expected from a consortium put together by operators in both Argentina and Peru, while Grup TCB, which operates Barcelona Container Terminal and TCBuen, in the Colombian port of Buenaventura, had stated, publicly, interest in the project.

However, this week media reports in Ecuador challenged the administration of the Port Authority, blaming it for, “a fall in container loading”. In response, Patricio Barriga, the Government’s Undersecretary of Political Communications, warned that this was, “a clear ploy to stop the current concession process that the Port Authority of Manta carries out under the highest standards of international quality and framed in the constitution and laws”.

He stood by the concession process, stating that he was confident that it will attract investment and stability, which will benefit Ecuador.