Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest port city and main gateway to the Galápagos, renowned for its vibrant riverfront and rich cultural heritage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
