The Ministry of Transport and Public Works of Ecuador jointly with the Port Authority of Manta have recently announced the re-opening for the tender process for the port of Manta concession, located on Ecuador's Pacific coast, through a public-private partnership (PPP).

The port concession process was initially launched in 2012, but no firms showed interested in the project and the process was stopped. Now, after the port received an unsolicited offer from Chilean port operator Agunsa, in January 2016, the Government has re-opened the process looking for competitive bids.

The qualified teams will compete for the design, financing, equipment, execution of additional works, operation and maintenance of the International Terminal Port Authority of Manta (APM) through a 40-year concession.

The expansion will include repairs to the port's two international terminals as well as the dock for the industrial fishing fleet.

Dredging is also included in the initial project plans so as to increase the port's depth to 16 meters. The main part of the expansion will be the construction of a new quay of 350 meters.

The total investment is estimated to be at US$175 million.

According to sources, Kevin Lazo, General Manager of the APM, commented:

"The Manta port concession will  improve the operability of the port terminal, whereas an external company through public-private partnership could run more efficiently the port, and it  would help to attract containerized cargo to the port"

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