Ecuadorian Port of Guayaquil Dredging to Boost Economy

Ongoing maintenance dredging at the Ecuadorian Port of Guayaquil is expected to boost the local economy, a media report by Mundo Maritimo said. The project, which was won by Jan De Nul in 2018, will deepen the existing access channel from 9.6 meters (31.4 feet) to 12.5 meters (41 feet). In exchange for its maintenance dredging service, Jan De Nul will charge vessels a gross register tonnage (GRT) tariff. The project is expected to be completed by year-end, the media report said. José Antonio Contreras, manager at Contecon Guayaquil SA (CGSA) – the local subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services Inc. – said dredging will provide “sustainability” to the port activity in Guayaquil, so the port can welcome larger vessels. The executive said Contecon is willing to invest about $30 million US due to the dredging project.