Guayaquil port (port code: ECGYE) is the main port of Ecuador. It is situated on Rio Guayas to the north of the Gulf of Guayaquil. The main part of the port, Puerto Nuevo, is located in the saltwater estuary of the Gulf of Guayaquil, about 44 nautical miles from the sea. The Canal del Morro links the estuary with the port area.
The port has an excellent rail link with the capital of Ecuador, Quito, via Riobamba and Latacunga. Cargoes are handled at river anchorage from lighters, in the Old Port and private wharves, the new Port, 5 nautical miles southwest of city and various oil terminals. Several new terminals for bulk, bananas and fertiliser have recently opened. There is an offshore LPG storage vessel for STS transfer of LPG via small shuttle tankers ashore. A natural channel was dredged to permit access to large ships visiting the harbour. This channel is liable to heavy silting.
The port handles about 7,145,300t of cargo and 884,100TEU annually. The principal import cargoes are wheat, corn, soybean, paddy rice and fertilisers; and the main exports include bananas, coffee, cocoa and exotic fruits.
Approximately 1,350 vessels visit this port each year. The types of vessels regularly calling at this port are cargo vessels, accounting for about 65%, and fishing vessels, taking up around 10%. The maximum length of the vessels recorded to having entered this port is 369 meters. The maximum draught is 12.3 meters. The maximum deadweight is 150,166t.