Manta Port concession finally released

In its announcement, the Port Authority of Manta (APM ) has given a timetable that would see the ‘tentative’ date for signing the final contract as 30 November this year. The concession is open to all interested ‘local, foreign or consortium’ companies, with final proposals required to be submitted by 30 July.

Previously interest in the project had been shown by several international operators, including Ultramar, SAAM and Empresas Navieras; DP World; Ports America; and China Merchants. In addition, a bid is 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, has previously stated publicly its interest in the project.

It has been estimated that US$282m will need to be invested in the port over the next 25 years to fund changes to the infrastructure, handling equipment, superstructure and available services, with the aim of expanding Manta’s overall international activities.