Guayaquil, Ecuador

Port Overview

Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, is located on the west bank of the Guayas River, about 70 kilometers upstream from the Pacific Ocean. With a metropolitan population exceeding 3 million, it ranks as the country’s most populous urban area. Strategically, Guayaquil is Ecuador’s principal commercial and maritime gateway, handling the majority of the nation’s import and export traffic through its modern port facilities. The Port of Guayaquil, the country’s busiest container terminal, has an annual TEU capacity of approximately 1.7 million, making it a critical hub for regional and international trade in the eastern Pacific.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Guayaquil’s main port facilities include the Contecon Guayaquil S.A. (CGSA) and Terminal Portuario de Guayaquil (TPG), both handling containerized, reefer, and general cargo. Key infrastructure features over 660 meters of berth, 13.7-meter depth, and five ship-to-shore cranes. The port boasts Ecuador’s largest reefer infrastructure, advanced cargo control scanners, and telemetry systems. While AGVs are not specifically mentioned, the terminals focus on automation and efficient logistics for high-volume exports like bananas and shrimp.

Container Terminals

Guayaquil, Ecuador’s main container terminals are Contecon Guayaquil (CGSA), Terminal Portuario de Guayaquil (TPG), and DP World Posorja. CGSA has 9 berths, 1.4 million TEU annual capacity, moderate automation, and is operated by ICTSI. TPG features 5 berths, 1.2 million TEU capacity, semi-automated systems, and is run by SAAM. DP World Posorja has 1 berth (expanding to 2), 750,000 TEU capacity, and high automation.

Port Services

• Container handling: Modern terminals with advanced equipment for efficient loading, unloading, and transshipment of containers.
• Cargo operations: Full range of bulk, breakbulk, and general cargo handling, including specialized reefer (refrigerated) cargo for perishables.
• Ship services: Pilotage, towage, bunkering, vessel traffic management, and ship supply.
• Warehousing: On-site and bonded warehousing, logistics zones, and cold storage facilities.
• Customs: Comprehensive customs clearance, inspection, and documentation services for import and export cargo.

Global Connectivity

Guayaquil serves as Ecuador's primary maritime gateway, handling over 85% of the country's non-oil cargo. The port connects Ecuador to major global markets through established shipping routes to North America, Europe, and Asia. Key shipping lines including Wan Hai, Pacific International Lines, Cosco, Evergreen, and Yang Ming serve the terminal through the Asia-South America service. As a regional transshipment hub, Guayaquil facilitates cargo movement for neighboring South American countries, leveraging its strategic Pacific coast location to support Ecuador's foreign trade and strengthen regional maritime connectivity.

Port Statistics

Guayaquil, Ecuador: Key Port Statistics

• TEU Throughput (2024): The main terminals in Guayaquil—Terminal Portuario de Guayaquil (TPG) and Contecon Guayaquil (CGSA)—collectively handle over 2.3 million TEUs annually, with TPG alone moving 801,506 TEUs in 2024.
• World Ranking: Guayaquil ranks among the top 100 global container ports, with recent data placing it around 85th worldwide by TEU volume.
• Number of Berths: The port complex features multiple deep-water berths capable of accommodating large vessels, though the exact number varies by terminal; CGSA, for example, is expanding to handle New Panamax ships.
• Area: The port area spans hundreds of hectares, with CGSA noted as Ecuador’s largest and most sophisticated terminal, strategically located near major export zones.
• Shipping Lines: Guayaquil is a port of call for the world’s top ten shipping lines, serving as a key hub for global trade routes, especially for refrigerated and agricultural exports.
• Specialization: The port is critical for Ecuador’s banana, shrimp, and flower exports, with advanced infrastructure for refrigerated cargo and efficient connections to Quito and international markets.