Work has been completed on the berth extension of DP World’s US$538m Ecuadorean facility in Posorja. The quay was extended from 400m to 467.5m facilitating the simultaneous arrival of feeder and neo-Panamax vessels of up to 15,500TEU.
The berth extension combined with a navigation channel of 16.5m draught further, underlines the allure of the 750,000TEU facility, which has been successful in winning business from neighbouring Guayaquil and Buenaventura as lines have started to divert their largest ships currently calling on the west coast of South America to the port.
DP World has set a string of records this month with the arrival of vessels escalating in size as the terminal has been building up to the full completion of its first phase of expansion.
Members of the Eurosal alliance, Hapag-Lloyd’s and CMA CGM, both called at the port with their biggest vessels to date this month.
CMA GMA’s 10,926TEU Jean Gabriel with a draft of 14.5m, became the biggest vessel to call in an Ecuadorean port when it arrived on August 7.
Rainbow Blue Nelson
Americas Correspondent
