Port of Manta plans to close 2021 with a 2% growth in its cargo movement

Since 2017, when it took control of the Manta port delegation, TPM has delivered about $5.5 million in royalties to the State.

MANTA, Manabí

A 2% growth in cargo movement will be projected at the end of 2021 by the port managed by Terminal Portuario de Manta (TPM).

For Roberto Salazar, president of TPM, that 2% represents a recovery in cargo compared to the last two years. In 2020, 1,013,000 tons were moved, while for 2021 it is expected that there will be a closure of 1,033,000 tons.

Only in the vehicle category was there an increase compared to 2020 and 2021. Thus, for example, last year, when COVID-19 caused serious problems worldwide, only 36,000 vehicles arrived in Manta; This year, until October, 48,000 vehicles had entered the port of Manta, and it is hoped that the figure will close at 55,000 vehicles disembarked through this port.

“In solid bulk we are also going to exceed the 485,000 tons that were mobilized in Manta in 2020; In October (of this 2021), they were already at 480,000 tons. It is going to be an important year, with good results, comparatively speaking with the last two years of the pandemic,” Salazar said.

One of the reasons for maintaining and improving the level of cargo was to take safety measures, precisely in the face of a pandemic that marked port movement in the world, highlighted the head of TPM, which even generated an award in recognition of efficient disaster management. and building disaster resilience.

Despite this movement, the global container crisis also means that, for example, currently around 400 containers are sent from this port monthly.

Since March 1, 2017, when TPM took over the delegation of the port of Manta for 40 years, the management of port movement has earned the State royalties of $5.5 million until November 2021.

In terms of infrastructure, within the first phase of investment that TPM has to carry out in improvements to the Manta port terminal, this company has already invested about $45 million, of the $66 million planned in the first phase of the delegation.

In 40 years, according to the contract, TPM must invest about $177 million.

At the moment the repair of the dam is being carried out, but a possible maintenance of the dredging that TPM carried out two years ago is being evaluated.

“It is always necessary to review depths and see the needs of this maintenance apart from the proposed projects,” Salazar stated.