The most major commercial port of Ecuador is the Port of Guayaquil. It is where most international import and export goods pass through. The port is located on the edge of the River Guayas, 72 km from the Gulf of Guayaquil.
- TEUs: 1.94 million (2019)
- Handle cargoes in all types and sizes
- Nearly 90% of the country’s foreign trade handled by Guayaquil Port
- Half of Ecuador’s imports pass through the port
- Home to a diverse range of businesses
- Receive regular calls from container ships, bulk carriers, and more
- Maximum draught – 12.5m, DWT – 150166t
The Port of Esmeraldas is a large seaport in northwest Ecuador, located at the entrance of the Esmeraldas River. It is operating as a general and bulk cargo port with three terminals.
- TEUs: 750,000 annual capacity
- Sees a variety of vessels, including vehicle carriers, passenger ships, and tug
- Oil refinery manage offshore oil terminals
- Maximum vessel size: LOA 229 meters
- Loading and unloading facilities are available for commodities
- Main imports: steel billets and pipes; Exports: timber and bananas
Situated in the province of El Oro in Ecuador, the Port of Bolivar or Puerto Bolívar was built in the center of the country’s world-famous banana fields. Autoridad Portuaria de Puerto Bolivar run and manage the port.
- TEUs: 600,000 per year
- Main activities: handling reefer cargo, dry cargo, bulk carrier, etc
- A well-sheltered and secure place for export products in containers
- Comprise container freight station
- Maximum vessel size: LOA 295m, Draught – 12.2m, DWT – 185897t
Port of Manta is the largest commercial and tourist destination and the country’s second-biggest port after Guayaquil. The port’s main benefit is the depth of the sea and the ease of access to the berths.
- TEUs: 50,000
- Geographically center location makes it ideal for car distribution
- Two primary terminals: one for international traffic and the other for fishing and cargo
- 65% of all load deployed are dry solid bulk freight and global fisheries
- Standard imports and exports are frozen tuna, cereals such as wheat
- Accept vessels in all types and sizes
- Annual traffic figures: 2 million MT – general cargo, liquid bulk, and solid bulk
- Comprise two jetties: 1) 200m length 2) 300m length
Located near the mouth of the Rio Chone in the province of Manabi, the Port of Bahia de Caraquez is a popular destination for cruise ships and tourists.
- TEUs: N/A
- Receive a large amount of tourist traffic from Guayaquil and Quito
- Also called the shrimp exporting port
- Principal economic activity: fattening of shrimp held in captivity for exportation
Situated on the St. Elena Peninsula, the Port of La Libertad is around 140 kilometers west of Guayaquil. Its primary function is to receive and handle refined petroleum.
- TEUs: N/A
- Sorts of vessels call the port are pleasure craft, oil products tanker, tug.
- Other vessels include passenger and oil/chemical tanker
- Maximum vessel LOA – 120 meters, Draught – 5.9m, DWT – 7500t
Port of Salinas, which is located in the province of Santa Elena, caters primarily to tourists.
- TEUs: N/A
- Receives very little commercial cargo due to its closeness to other large ports
- An excellent destination for travel operators
- Coordinates: Latitude: -2º -7′ -47” S, Longitude: -80º -34′ -48” W
Port of Balao is a commercial oil port in northwest Ecuador, near Esmeraldas, on the Pacific Ocean coast.
- TEUs: N/A
- Located within the Esmeraldas entrance
- In charge of a significant portion of the petroleum imports
- Maintains an essential list of certified assets and procedures
- Oil mechanism: runs between Quinindé and Balao province
- Oil mechanism measurement: 26 inches diameter, 77 km length
- It can mobilize over 158 thousand barrels of crude