Port Overview

The biggest advantage of the port of Manta is the water depth and the easy approach to the berths. Heavy swells may occur causing a negative impact on berthing. However, the port lacks ship-to-shore cargo handling equipment and covered storage facilities.  The geographically central position of Manta is advantageous for the distribution of vehicles both to the north and south of the country.

Manta's main economic activity consists of the capture and processing of tuna. The Port of Manta is divided into two main terminals: 1) International Terminal and 2) Fishing and Cabotage Terminal; also existing in its jurisdiction, two terminals private port facilities and three fishing facilities under the same administration. Currently, the dry solid bulk cargo and international fishing predominate in the total of cargo mobilized in the Port of Manta with approximately 65% ​​of the total; namely 570,802 tons mobilized as of December 2020. This category includes the exports and imports of frozen tuna, wheat and other grains. On the other hand, in general cargo, during the analysis period, 100,480 tons were mobilized of automobiles, machinery and equipment, vehicles, assembly parts, etc., which represents 11% of the total; while on the other hand, the liquid bulk corresponds to the mobilization of vegetable oils and hydrocarbons with a total of 130,613 tons to December 2020.

More information can be found at http://www.puertodemanta.gob.ec/

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

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

http://www.puertodemanta.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/OPERADORES-PORTUARIOS.pdf

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

Port Performance

Being a multipurpose port, the facilities permit access for all types of vessels, guaranteeing easy maneuvering of vessels and loading, unloading and provisioning operations, as well as appropriate security and mobility conditions for the arrival of cruise ships and tourists.

It has two jetties, one 200 meters long and the other 300 meters long, with the capacity to receive 4 vessels simultaneously, that is, 800 linear meters of berths for the operations of container ships, bulk carriers, carts, fishing boats and cruise ships. . Both piers have a platform width of 45 meters each. It also has another 620 linear meters for exclusively fishing and cabotage activities.

It has 12 hectares for warehousing of merchandise, included in yards 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800. Its dock is 110 hectares protected by a breakwater that allows a fast and comfortable arrival, loading and unloading of vessels.

The annual operational capacity of the port is 50,000 TEU, 50,000 vehicles, and 2,000,000 MT of general cargo, solid and liquid bulk. 

For information on the Port of Manta performance, please see the Port of Manta website.

During 2020, a total of 419 international flag vessels were mobilized in the Port of Manta, with an average of 35 ships per month. Of this traffic, about 48% correspond to fishing vessels and 44% to merchant vessels; while the remaining 8% correspond to cruise ships or ships without cargo that arrive at the Port for: maintenance, provisioning, bunkers, research purposes or medical assistance, dredgers, etc.

In 2020 they arrived at the Port of Manta 186 merchant ships; of the of which 48% corresponds to ships RO-RO type (cars, heads, buses, etc.), while the tankers (ships of liquid bulk) have 13% of participation; and, the containers the 28% and finally, 11% is the contribution from bulk carriers.

 In the year 2020, 88% of the cargo that is mobilized in the Port of Manta is net of import, reaching a total of 775,466 tons in 2020; while charging exports and transshipment reached 100,398 tons in said period; that is to say in year 2020 the Port of Manta mobilized 875,864 tons of cargo. Considering the import and export cargo mobilized during the year 2020, wheat and vegetable oils and hydrocarbons account for about 77% of the cargo mobilized in the Port of Manta. The wheat mainly comes from Canada, Argentina and the United States; importing 442,912 tons per year; while vegetable oil and hydrocarbon basically comes from Peru, reaching a volume of 125,034 tons. On the other hand, frozen tuna represents an important segment of the total imports arriving at the Port of Manta, since these exceed 117 thousand tons in the year 2020, from international waters.

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on the Port of Manta rates and charges, visit the Port of Manta website.  

Berthing Specifications

Container, Bulk, and Ro-Ro operations can be carried out on berths with 12m water depth, which permits vessels with a draft of 11 m. For RoRo-vessels only having a stern ramp, two on-dock ramps exist, at the end of each side of the first (inner) finger pier. The vessels can either approach starboard or port side, but the tidal range of approximately 3 meters must be considered when working on a fixed concrete ramp. 

Aerial view of the port of Manta on May 24, 2020. - Photo: Courtesy TPM

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

The port equipment is managed by the government. For an efficient cargo operation, it is essential that chartered vessels are equipped with appropriate gear. For self-driving cargo (passenger cars, trucks, etc.) no constraints are expected, as no further equipment is necessary. Ro-Ro operations with roll trailers could be a problem if the tug master does not have the necessary towing capacity. It is ideal that vessels have their own tug masters.

The Manta Port Authority offers specialized port cargo equipment for rent: https://www.gob.ec/apm/tramites/alquiler-equipos-especializados-carga-portuaria.

Source: www.eldiario.ec/noticias-manabi-ecuador

Container Facilities

The Gottwald mobile crane can support the overall discharge operation, but in order to work with more than one gang, ships' gear must be used. It has been reported by a port user that the mobile crane is often out of service. After being discharged, the containers must be carried by trucks for about 1.5 km to the storage yard.

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.

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

The Port of Manta is considered multipurpose; In other words, it can serve various market segments; today, its international terminal, delegated to the company Manta Port Terminal (TPM), mobilizes solid bulk cargo (wheat, urea and fishing), liquid bulk (vegetable oils) and general cargo (machinery and vehicles); while, Manta Port Authority, in charge of the administration of the Fishing Terminal and Cabotage, serves the industrial and artisanal fishing fleet; in addition, he has been carrying out major infrastructure investments to rebuild said terminal and recover the port and fishing activity in the city of Manta, an objective that has been achieved the hand of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, with whom the efforts to have new jetty-type docks that will double the capacity of attention to the fishing fleet in terms of linear meters for vessel berthing at a depth of 10, 9 and 7 meters deep; enabling more than 620 linear meters of tracks access to the fishing terminal to facilitate port operations.

Grain and Bulk Handling

Ship's gear is necessary. Optimum case: Handysize bulk carrier of approximately 40,000 TDW, 4 to 5 hatches. The port has sufficient hoppers in which the cargo is being discharged, trucks go underneath and carry the cargo to a warehouse off the berth. 

Main Storage Terminal

For the storage of containers, vehicles and general cargo, a total area of 110,500m², divided into 7 different yards, is available. Depending on the type of cargo, it can accommodate either 5,010 TEU or 4,240 vehicles (passenger cars).

Stevedoring

Cargo Operators  (Operadores de Carga) are registered companies that provide services in the Port of Manta, whose services allow the management and execution of specialized technical activities for the transfer of cargo and unloading carried out in the ships / vessels; loading, unloading, storage, storage, mobilization services in the port area, stowage, re-stowage and un-stowage, etc. Port cargo operators have specialized machines, equipment, tools, and safety implements for their properly trained and specialized workers.

Its dock is 110 hectares protected by a breakwater that allows a fast and comfortable arrival, loading and unloading of vessels.

Being a Multipurpose Port, the facilities allow access for all types of vessels, guaranteeing easy maneuvering of vessels and loading, unloading and provisioning operations, as well as appropriate security and mobility conditions for the arrival of cruise ships and tourists.

It has two jetties, one 200 meters long and the other 300 meters long, with the capacity to receive 4 vessels simultaneously, that is, 800 linear meters of berths for the operations of container ships, bulk carriers, carts, fishing boats and cruise ships. . Both piers have a platform width of 45 meters each. It also has another 620 linear meters for exclusively fishing and cabotage activities.

Hinterland Information

ACCESS TO THE PORT AREA

Access to the port facilities is through Jaime Chávez Gutiérrez avenue (Malecón) and Avenida 4 de Noviembre, which is 4 km long and connects the port with the routes to Quito and Guayaquil. The 18 km long side pass, interconnects the port with the road Manta - Rocafuerte - Quito; Blanket - Montecristi - Jipijapa - Nobol - Guayaquil, built to decongest vehicular traffic. The Port - Airport road of 8.5 km in length, it forms the ring road with the lateral passage and connects to the Manta-Montecristi-Guayaquil highway. The Coastal route, it connects to the port of Manta with all the tourist sites of Ecuador. Avenue of the culture rapidly interconnects to the lateral step allowing rapid mobilization towards the road to Portoviejo.

ACCESS TO THE SERVICE AREA

Rules for access to the docks

Access to the docks and traffic areas of the ports, to the people and vehicles that, by reason of their functions or services in them, are duly authorized. It is the responsibility of the maritime authority and / or whoever has the competence, to grant these authorizations to passengers and other persons boarding the ships, as well as the crew of the vessels in port. It is the responsibility of APM to grant authorizations for access to all class of vehicles and persons involved in the execution and conservation of works and facilities, in operations of loading, unloading, circulation on the docks and everything regarding the use of the various works destined to the operations of the port. Non-civil servants who depend on the authorities who, due to their function must enter the port, it will be provided with sufficient documentation, and must exhibit said documentation before the guards and security when they are required for it.

Industrial vehicles and machinery.

The access of industrial vehicles and mobile machinery will be authorized in each case by APM's Comprehensive Security Directorate, which will be able to control characteristics and state of conservation and operation, in accordance with that is established in the rules of the ISPS Code and / or BASC, without no liability may arise for the APM or its personnel, in accident case.

MOVING THROUGH THE SERVICE AREA

Vehicles

Vehicles of all kinds that circulate through the port, must do so with the due precautions and respecting existing traffic signs. When crossing the tracks or stop on them to take or leave cargo, in cases where this does not is expressly prohibited, they will do so with the driver willing to remove it from the via as soon as necessary. The unit loads per axle as well as the pressure of tire inflation, will not be higher than those set for roads national regulations or specific regulations issued by the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, MTOP. The exhaust pipes of the internal combustion engines shall be closed type or with explosion protection. The circulation of light vehicles (cars, motorcycles, etc.) is prohibited, due to the loading and unloading area, understood as the one under the radius of action of cranes and other facilities for handling goods. Vehicles are not allowed to march through the general areas of circulation of the docks and service roads at speeds greater than 60 kilometers per hour, nor by other places than by the roads destined for its transit.

Port Security

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

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.