Deepwater port positions Ecuador as trade & logistics hub for South America's west coast

• Phase two to include an integrated special economic zone that models Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port and freezone
• DP World Group Chairman & CEO visits the facility to receive updates on latest progress

POSORJA, ECUADOR / DUBAI, UAE: The $538 million first phase of the new Deepwater Port of Posorja in Ecuador by global trade enabler DP World, is now completed and successfully operational. The overall US$1.2 billion project will replicate Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port and freezone, making Ecuador a trade and logistics hub for South America’s west coast, and opening a gateway for large container ships with capacities exceeding 10,000 TEUs.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, visited the facility to assess progress of the project, which is one of the largest international investments in Ecuador. The port has already been operational for two months, handling thousands of containers and more than a dozen post-panamax ships. Posorja is expected to welcome an annual volume of 750,000 TEUs during the first phase, and 1.5 million TEUs at full port capacity. The Port is equipped with state of-the-art technology, world-class infrastructure, and the largest gantry cranes in South America.

Mr. bin Sulayem, said: “The beginning of operations at Posorja is a defining moment in Ecuador’s economic growth. The new Port and Special Economic Zone will significantly improve Ecuador’s global competitiveness and position the country as a dynamic business hub for the west coast of South America, following the model that has been tried and tested in Dubai and around the world.”

From the very beginning of this project, we have forged a close relationship with our partners from the public and private sectors. The last two months of operations have shown the importance and capability of the Port to importers and exporters, shipping lines and local authorities as we work hand-in-hand with our partners to enable trade and develop innovative logistics solutions.”

Phase two of DP World’s project in Ecuador will be the development of ‘Posorja ZEDE’; a special economic zone (SEZ) for maritime, logistics and light industrial businesses. The freezone will be modelled on Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port and freezone in the United Arab Emirates, which is home to more than 7,500 companies, which together are responsible for around 35% of Dubai’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employ more than 135,000 people. The Jebel Ali model has already been successfully replicated around the world including London Gateway in the UK and the greenfield terminal in Caucedo, Dominican Republic.

Once completed, the 1,000,070m² special economic zone will serve the various needs of investors and traders seeking an integrated location that can act as a manufacturing and distribution hub for their products.

Nicolas Gauthier, CEO of DP World Ecuador said: “The Port is being developed in line with international best practices, and is already creating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities that are backed by robust social programs. A key example of this is establishing gender equality policies that have paved the way for the first female crane operators in Ecuador.”

Vessels that in the past could not come to Ecuador due to size restrictions will now be offered a safe, productive and efficient call in Posorja. The new port is expected to be a catalyst for the creation of new businesses in Ecuador.

The Deepwater Port of Posorja is a strategic partnership between the public sector and the private sector. DP World is responsible for the design, financing, construction and operations of the facility for a period of 50 years, following which the port will be handed over to the state.

The project includes a deep water port with a capacity of 1.5 million TEUs, in addition to a 21-km access highway and a 21 nautical mile maritime access channel that is 16.5 meters in depth.

-Ends-

• The Deepwater Port’s three quay cranes are built by heavy-duty equipment manufacturer ZPMC, and are the largest in South America

• The quay cranes have a safe loading capacity of 50, 65 and 80 tons and can work on ships with up to 23 rows of containers on deck, allowing Ecuador to have the flexibility to operate with Neo Panamax, Post-Panamax III and Triple E-Class vessels

• The project created thousands of job opportunities in the first phase benefiting communities in Posorja and surrounding areas. Through DP World’s contractors, about 1,800 job opportunities were generated in the construction of the first phase, while operations yielded a total of around 530 direct and 4,000 indirect jobs.

• DP World Posorja is placing a high degree of focus on training employees at different terminals across South America, with more than $1 million invested to date

• Through the Community Relations Strategic Plan (PERC), DP World Posorja will carry out socio-environmental investment projects in the community for the next five years in the areas of education, women empowerment, health, entrepreneurship, tourism and fishing
• PERC is structured on four strategic axes: building a vibrant, safe and resilient society; environmental protection; good corporate governance; and investing in people

For DP World media enquiries please contact:
Hakam Kherallah, International Media Relations Manager
DP World
Tel: +971 50 5522610
hakam.kherallah@dpworld.com 

Roland Buerk, Head of Media Relations
DP World
Tel: +971 50 6287856
roland.buerk@dpworld.com 

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About DP World:

DP World is the leading enabler of global trade and an integral part of the supply chain.

We operate multiple related businesses – from marine and inland terminals, marine services, logistics and ancillary services, to technology-driven trade solutions.

Our portfolio of more than 150 operations in 46 countries across six continents gives us a significant presence both in high-growth and mature markets.

DP World’s dedicated team of more than 50,000 employees from 120 countries builds enduring relationships with governments, shipping lines, importers and exporters, communities, and many other essential constituents of the global supply chain, providing quality value-added services today and tomorrow.

Container handling is the company’s core business and generates more than half of its revenue. In 2018, DP World handled over 70 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) across our portfolio. With a pipeline of committed developments and expansions, we expect the current gross capacity of 91 million TEU to rise in line with market demand.

By thinking ahead, foreseeing change and innovating, DP World aims to create the most productive, efficient and safe trade solutions globally. We aim to be essential to the bright future of global trade, ensuring that everything we do contributes positively and sustainably to the economy and society.

© Press Release 2019