Port Overview 

This port sits in Northwestern Ecuador at the mouth of the River Esmeraldas. From its vantage point it has taken occupied the position of the principal hub for exporting lumber, agricultural resources and other products. It is also the terminus for the Trans-Ecuadorian pipeline bringing in oil from the country’s oil fields in the North east. It is located in  the northern part of Ecuador in the Province of Esmeraldas, next to the mouth of the river of the same name.

Facilities: It has two 200-meter-long breakwater docks with the capacity to receive 4 vessels simultaneously, that is, 800 linear meters of berths destined for the container ship operations, bulk carriers, carts, fishing boats and cruise ships. Both of the docks have a platform width of 45 meters each. It also has another 620 meters linear for exclusively fishing and cabotage activities. Its dock is 110 hectares protected by a breakwater that allows a quick and comfortable operation of arrival, loading and unloading of vessels.

Warehousing: It has 120,980 m2 (twelve hectares) for storage, between patios and a covered cellar.

Access: Access to the Port is direct from a natural depression on the seabed that approaches up to 200 meters from the port entrance. The area where the piers are located is protected by breakwaters, which frame a 42-hectare basin.

Port website: http://www.puertoesmeraldas.gob.ec/

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List.

Port Performance

The port of Esmeraldas is located on the north-western coast of Ecuador, with direct access from the Pacific Ocean on the equator, becoming one of the most strategic points due to its geographical location since it is the Ecuadorian port closest to the Panama Canal. , which constitutes an element of great benefit for shipping companies due to the optimization of time and therefore costs in handling their cargo. It enjoys an enviable position on the South American continent due to its direct access from the Pacific Ocean to its dock and piers, which makes it a natural port for the interoceanic traffic of deep-sea vessels.

Access Channel

General characteristics Access to the port terminal is done almost directly from the sea. Latitude: 01 ° 01 '45''North (N) Longitude: -79 ° 39'6''West (W).

The access channel has the following characteristics:

From the sea buoy 2 miles to the entrance to the dock. Width: 200 mtrs. (656.2 feet) - Depth: 11.5 mtrs. (37.8 feet) Average amplitude of the tide at the entrance: 1.80 mtrs. Average amplitude of the tide at the foot of the pier: 3.80 mtrs.

Navigation Aid Systems

The channel has depths greater than 11.5 meters. Regarding the minimum level of low tides and allows a fast and safe navigation, with an adequate system of navigation aids. The tranquility of its waters and the excellent weather conditions of the port guarantee its operation 365 days a year.

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please visit: Port of Esmeraldas website.

Berthing Specifications

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

Port handling equipment is managed privately by the companies holding the concession for the operation of the terminal. The stacking height on the yard is five containers. The quay cranes and reach stackers are equipped with an automatic weighing system.

Container Facilities

The container yard facilities in Esmeraldas are limited to open storage compounds with no automatization, divided into full and empty storage yards. The area for full containers has a size of 42 ha. For truck reception and delivery of full containers a TEREX reach stacker is used.

Source: https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/esmeraldas-port-10798

Customs Guidance

For import procedures, the following documentation/information will be required at the Billing Department's service windows in order to obtain a door pass:

• The loading number as authorized by SENAE
• For procedures with SENAE authorizations through administrative acts, you must present a copy of the document (Providencia)
• Letter of Authorization of Exit (CAS) (Electronic or Physical)
• Copy of the Bill of Lading (BL), for the cases of General Cargo and Loose Cargo
• Data of the transport company, or name of the driver and the license plate of the vehicle that will withdraw the cargo

This documentation will be required by the access control booths before entering.

The door pass can also be issued to the customs agent/assistant or other personnel authorized by the importer to carry out the customs procedures.

The requirements of the "Manual of Port Security for the Issuance of Credentials and Provisional Permits" must be fulfilled.

For the dispatch of cargo, the warehouses have a scheduled delivery service with allocated shifts, taking into account the following aspects:

• Depending on availability, the customer chooses the most convenient shift to withdraw their cargo. The shifts include the earliest and latest times to withdraw the cargo.
• In the event that a client misses their shift (i.e. does not arrive during the allocated time) it is possible to request another on the same day at the access control booths.

For cases of Direct Debits (DD) or Advance Dispatch (DA), verify that the customs procedure has been authorized and the operation is scheduled in the Customer Services Department.

For more information on customs in ECUADOR please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information. 

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

The Balao terminal is the oil processing facility for the port of Esmeraldas. With oil being the largest employer, this port is a source of income for a lot of Ecuadorians living in the Northwestern hemisphere of the country. Overall, the Port of Esmeraldas handles over 11% of the cargo moved in the country and roughly over 800 thousand metric tons of cargo annually.

Grain and Bulk Handling

Since the port is normally not handling grain in bulk, the cargo should be bagged for storage or directly trucked out of the port (4 hoppers for truck loading of loose grain directly from the vessel are available). The solid bulk cargo handled in the port is all non-food-cargo: Import of steel pellets and shredded scrap and export of wood chips. All of this cargo is stored on open yard facilities.

Main Storage Terminal

It has 120,980 m² (twelve hectares) for storage, between patios and a covered cellar.

The storage capacity is limited but not yet at its end, however, large quantities of empty containers, stacked 4 high, occupy about 25% of the total yard capacity. Two warehouses (7,200 m² and 1,500 m²) are actually used for the storage of steel coils and cement bags. In case of an emergency, the warehouses can be cleared and may be usable after intensive floor cleaning and a roof repairs.

Stevedoring

The Port Terminal of Esmeraldas offers the service of stowage and unloading. The port has equipment and adequate material, duly certified, which guarantees safety and efficiency in cargo handling. Various types of cargo are handled such as containers, agricultural products, general cargo, vehicles, machinery, and project cargo. Stevedoring operation is made by private companies, classified and regulated by the national government.  The ratio and ranking of the operators is performed in accordance to the type of activities and services they provide to the terminals (cargo handling, pilotage, towage, dredging, port storage and other activities).

Hinterland Information

Ecuador has implemented the maritime security requirements contained in Chapter XI-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code through the Merchant Shipping Bill 2004 and the Maritime Security Regulations 2004. These regulations apply to all seaports in Ecuador and passenger ships, cargo ships of 500GRT or more, and mobile offshore drilling units on international voyages.

Port Security

Comprehensive security: The Port of Esmeraldas is qualified with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), Zero Theft and the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC) Certification, in the process of ISO 9,000 and 28,000 certifications. Security Level 1 applies in Ecuador territorial waters and seaports. Any change of security level or its area of application will be communicated by notices to mariners, navigational warnings, circulars, VHF communication, or any other appropriate means.