International Container Terminal Services Inc. on Monday said a unit in Ecuador secured a government approval to serve larger vessels that will further strengthen its market position .
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.
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. 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,” said ICTSI chairman and president Enrique Razon Jr.
ICTSI head of the Americas Region Anders Kjeldsen said ICTSI was 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,” Kjeldsen said.
Ecuador President Lenin Moreno, who visited CGSA in 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 $10 million. This amount is part of the $325 million they pledged to invest 20 years up to 2027 on Port Authority grounds. However, we should highlight that, in these 10 years, Contecon has already invested $360 million—$35 million more than expected,” Moreno said.
With a berth line of 1,627 meters and a maximum controlling depth 12.5 meters, CGSA is equipped with six quay cranes and four mobile harbor cranes which can accommodate nine vessels at one time depending on the size of the vessels.