The shipping platform

Location: Guayaquil is situated on Rio Guayas to the N of the Gulf of Guayaquil. The main part of the port, Puerto Nuevo, is in the N of the Gulf of Guayaquil. General overview: Guayaquil is the main port of Ecuador. Puerto Nuevo is located in the salt water estuary of the Gulf of Guayaquil, about 44nm from the sea. The Canal del Morro links the estuary with the port area. A natural channel was dredged to permit access to large ships visiting the harbour. This channel is liable to heavy silting. The port has an excellent rail link with the capital of Ecuador, Quito, via Riobamba and Latacunga. Cargoes are handled at river anchorage from lighters, in the Old Port and private wharves, the new Port, 5nm SW of city and various oil terminals. Several new terminals for bulk, bananas and fertiliser have recently opened. There is an offshore LPG storage vessel for STS transfer of LPG via small shuttle tankers ashore. Imports: Iron, steel, vehicles, machinery and wheat. Exports: Bananas, coffee, cocoa, sugar, rice, balsa, fish, vegetable oil, molasses and petroleum products. Andipuerto, which has exclusive rights to handle bulk/grain cargoes, is located in Puerto Nuevo. The terminal can also attend to reefer and general cargo vessels. The principal import cargoes are wheat, corn, soy bean, paddy rice and fertilisers; main exports are bananas, coffee, cocoa and exotic fruits. Traffic figures: Approx 1,350 vessels, 7,145,300t of cargo and 884,100TEU handled annually. Load line zone: Tropical. Max size: New Port: LOA 210m, draught 9.75m, 30,000t displacement. Other berths: LOA 180m, draught 7.0m. LPG STS: LOA 220m, draught 11.5m.