According to the Port of Manta, in Ecuador, Manta Port Terminal (TPM) has become a key regional facility in the discharge of bulk cargo. VP Samuel Franco puts this down to the construction of new warehouses, which has allowed local importers to switch their business from other ports to that of Manta.
Although complete figures for 2024 are not yet available, the expectation is that Manta will once again handle more than a million tonnes for the year, a figure that has remained fairly constant since TPM took over operations in 2017. The result would have been better had consumer demand for imported finished vehicles not fallen in line with a downturn in the economy.
Vessels using the port are also now guaranteed a stable level of draft, since TPM has done what the state previously hadn’t, which is to undertake maintenance dredging programmes. A second round of recent dredging has kept draft at around 13 metres.
Franco is also keen to stress that traffic will be further boosted by the signing of free trade agreements with both China and the US.
Nevertheless, Manta still needs better road and rail access to its hinterland if it is to benefit more from industries located there, argues TPM president, Roberto Salazar, who laments the fact that additional cargo exists which simply cannot economically access the port.