International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has revealed that the maritime port of Guayaquil, Ecuador, will enjoy improved access as a result of a milestone infrastructure project.
Funded by the Ecuadorian government, the southern viaduct project will see the construction of the country’s longest bridge, at 44.2 kilometres in total.
In addition to this, the new bridge will directly link the port and south side of Guayaquil with the province of El Oro, and the south of the country, via a new road.
For the Port of Guayaquil, the most important part of the project involves the construction of two bridges, an 855-metre bridge over estero Cobina, and a 3.44-kilometre bridge over the Guayas River, the longest bridge in Ecuador serving as entry point to Guayaquil.
Jupiter Kalambakal, of ICTSI, discusses the Manila Terminal in a recent Port Technology technical paper
With more than 12 million tons of products passing through the Port of Guayaquil each year, the viaduct will serve as a direct corridor from the seaport to the Naranjal Canton province via the Puerto Inca-Naranjal road.
According to a statement, this will also reduce travel distances to southern banana estates, such as El Oro, by 60 to 100 kilometres, translating to a US$90 million decrease in transport costs.
In addition to major infrastructure developments landside, Guayaquil’s Contecon terminal continues to advance its marine capabilities as well.
ICTSI Supports Ecuador Growth#PTIDaily SEE MORE: https://t.co/aJf7IOmoI7#ecuador #terminals #infrastructure pic.twitter.com/yKPOSl5qB4
— Port Technology (PTI) (@PortTechnology) August 22, 2018
In July 2018, Contecon received the Government’s approval to handle larger vessels up to 6,500 TEU, becoming the only terminal in Guayaquil capable of berthing two post-Panamax vessels simultaneously.
José Antonio Contreras, Contecon Guayaquil CEO, said: “This infrastructure project will vastly improve the logistical competitiveness of the Port of Guayaquil by significantly reducing the travel distance and time of goods entering and leaving the port.
“We support the national government in this monumental undertaking, which aims to facilitate more efficient trade movement and consequently boost foreign trade for the benefit of the economy.
“This project, along with the developments in the port, shows just how much the Government and the private sector can achieve by working in sync to the benefit of the public.”