UN/LOCODE: ECPBO📍 Ecuador
Port of Puerto Bolivar (UN/LOCODE ECPBO)
❖ Coordinates: -3.2700°N, -79.9800°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Guayaquil
❖ UN/LOCODE: ECPBO
## About the Port
Puerto Bolivar (UN/LOCODE **ECPBO**) is a medium‑sized commercial harbor on Ecuador’s southern Pacific coast, situated in the province of **El Oro** at ‑3.27° S latitude and ‑79.98° W longitude. Operating under the **America/Guayaquil** time zone (UTC‑5), the port lies 45 km west of the provincial capital, Machala, and 210 km south of Guayaquil, the country’s principal maritime gateway.
The harbor is administered by the **Dirección General de Puertos** (DGP) of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Transport and Public Works. Its strategic position near the **Guápulo River** mouth provides natural shelter from swells while granting direct rail and highway connections to the interior highlands and the **Pan‑American Highway** (Route 1). Puerto Bolivar is classified as a **“dry bulk and container hub”** and serves as a logistical node for the agricultural, mining, and petrochemical sectors of southern Ecuador and northern Peru.
### Geographic Setting
- **Coastal geomorphology:** The port rests on a gently sloping alluvial plain formed by the recent deposition of the Guápulo river delta, offering a depth of 12 m at the berthing quay after dredging.
- **Climate:** A tropical savanna climate with an average annual precipitation of 1,200 mm and mean sea temperature of 27 °C, influencing cargo handling schedules during the rainy season (December–April).
### Governance and Regulation
Puerto Bolivar complies with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions, Ecuadorian maritime law, and the **Port State Control** inspection regime administered by the **Autoridad Portuaria de Guayaquil**. Environmental compliance is overseen by the **Ministerio del Ambiente** under the **Ecuadorian Maritime Environmental Management Plan**.
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## History
### Early Foundations (1900‑1930)
The site originated as a modest **coastal wharf** used by local banana exporters in the early 20th century. The boom in Ecuadorian banana production, driven by multinational corporations such as United Fruit Company, prompted the first government‑funded improvements: a stone pier, basic storage sheds, and a small customs office.
### Expansion Era (1930‑1975)
During the 1930s, the Ecuadorian state embarked on a national port modernization program. In 1942, a **rail link** connecting Puerto Bolivar to the **Río Guayas** railway corridor was inaugurated, enabling bulk transport of cacao, coffee, and later, copper concentrate from the **Punta Cerro** mines. The 1960s saw the construction of the first **container terminal** (single‑berth, 5‑m crane) as containerization spread across Latin America.
### Contemporary Development (1975‑Present)
The 1980s oil crisis and subsequent diversification of Ecuador’s export base spurred a second wave of investment. The **Puerto Bolivar Deepening Project** (1998‑2003) increased the draught to 12 m, allowing Panamax‑class vessels to call. In 2014, a **public‑private partnership (PPP)** introduced a modern **container terminal (CT‑2)** with a 300‑meter quay, advanced gate automation, and a **24‑hour customs clearance system**. Recent upgrades (2021‑2024) focus on **green port initiatives**, incorporating shore‑power capabilities and a waste‑water treatment plant.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Terminals
| Facility | Number | Depth (m) | Primary Cargo |
|----------|--------|-----------|----------------|
| General cargo quay | 2 | 12 | Bulk, break‑bulk |
| Container terminal (CT‑2) | 1 | 12 | TEU containers |
| Ro‑Ro ramp | 1 | 10 | Vehicles, heavy machinery |
| Grain & fertilizer terminal | 1 | 11 | Agri‑inputs |
The **container terminal** houses a **Super‑Post Panamax gantry crane (30 t lift)**, two **straddle carriers**, and an automated **gate system** that processes up to 1,500 TEUs per day. Adjacent to the container yard is a **cold‑storage complex** (15,000 m³) for perishable goods such as bananas and shrimp.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC):** Four 35‑tonne capacity units for project cargo.
- **Bulk handling conveyors:** 3 km of belt conveyors for grain, fertilizer, and mineral concentrates.
- **Cranes for heavy lift:** Two 120‑tonne overhead cranes supporting offshore‑support vessel (OSV) and wind‑turbine component imports.
### Connectivity
- **Road:** Direct access to **E‑15 Highway** (Pan‑American Highway) via a dedicated **port‑link corridor**, enabling 24‑hour truck movements.
- **Rail:** A 150 km branch line connects to the **Ecuadorian National Railway**, facilitating bulk export of minerals and import of heavy machinery.
- **Intermodal:** A **dry port** located 30 km inland offers customs‑bonded storage and trans‑shipment facilities, reducing congestion at the seaport.
### Support Services
- **Customs & Clearance:** Integrated with Ecuador’s **e‑Customs** platform, offering electronic manifest submission and real‑time tracking.
- **Pilotage & Towage:** 24‑hour pilotage services provided by the **Guayas Pilot Association**, and two 4,000 HP ocean‑tugs for vessels up to 70,000 dwt.
- **Safety & Security:** ISO 9001‑certified **Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP)**, CCTV coverage, and a marine emergency response team equipped with fire‑suppression barges.
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## Economic Importance
### Contribution to National Trade
Puerto Bolivar handles roughly **8 % of Ecuador’s total maritime cargo volume**, translating to an annual throughput of **12 million metric tonnes** (2023). Its container terminal processes **≈ 340,000 TEUs per year**, making it the **fourth‑largest container gateway** in the country after Guayaquil, Manta, and Esmeraldas.
### Regional Development
The port underpins the **El Oro agricultural zone**, supporting over **150,000 ha** of banana and cacao plantations. Direct export of fruit accounts for **≈ 2.5 million t** annually, delivering a **US$ 1.1 billion** foreign‑exchange revenue stream. In addition, the port’s proximity to the **El Cerro copper mine** facilitates the shipment of **≈ 3 million t of concentrate** each year, vital for Ecuador’s mining sector.
### Employment and Multiplier Effects
- **Direct employment:** ~1,200 staff across operations, logistics, and ancillary services.
- **Indirect jobs:** > 4,500 positions in trucking, warehousing, customs brokerage, and maritime services.
- **GDP impact:** The port’s activities contribute an estimated **0.8 % of Ecuador’s GDP** (World Bank, 2022).
### Strategic Initiatives
Puerto Bolivar is a focal point of Ecuador’s **“Pacific Coast Revitalization”** strategy, targeting a **15 % increase in cargo volume by 2030** through digitalization, capacity expansion, and integration into the **Pacific Alliance** trade bloc. The port also participates in the **ASEAN‑Ecuador Maritime Cooperation Framework**, enhancing its role in trans‑Pacific logistics chains.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
- **South‑America Northbound:** Regular liner services to **Guayaquil**, **Balboa (Panama)**, and **Cartagena (Colombia)**, facilitating intra‑regional cargo exchange.
- **Trans‑Pacific Eastbound:** Direct container voyages to **Los Angeles**, **Seattle**, and **Long Beach** (USA) via the **Pacific Trade Alliance** shipping consortium.
- **Northern Hemisphere Westbound:** Bulk carriers route to **Shanghai**, **Yokohama**, and **Busan** (South Korea) carrying mineral concentrates and agricultural products.
### Major Export Commodities
| Commodity | Annual Volume (t) | Destination Highlights |
|-----------|-------------------|------------------------|
| Bananas | 2.5 million | USA (Los Angeles, New York), EU (Rotterdam) |
| Cocoa beans | 650,000 | Germany, Netherlands |
| Copper concentrate | 3 million | China, Japan, South Korea |
| Shrimp & fish | 410,000 | USA, EU, Japan |
| Fertilizer (import) | 500,000 | Brazil, Chile |
### Dominant Imports
- **Machinery & Vehicles:** Heavy equipment for mining and agriculture, principally sourced from **USA**, **Germany**, and **Japan**.
- **Petrochemical Products:** Polyethylene, polypropylene, and specialty chemicals, largely arriving from **Saudi Arabia** and **South Korea**.
- **Consumer Goods:** Packaged foods and electronics from **China** and **Mexico**.
### Shipping Lines & Service Frequencies
Key carriers operating through Puerto Bolivar include **CMA CGM**, **Hapag‑Lloyd**, **Maersk Line**, and regional operators such as **Pacific Shipping Co.** Typical container service frequency is **four weekly sailings** to major Pacific ports, while bulk carriers present an **average of eight calls per month**, with a peak during the **November‑March export season**.
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*For further technical details on Puerto Bolivar’s specifications, consult the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) database* (UN/LOCODE ECPBO)↗. *Port performance statistics are also available via the International Maritime Organization’s Port State Control reports* (IMO Port State Control)↗.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
ECPBO
Country
Ecuador
Province / Region
El Oro
Latitude
-3.270000
Longitude
-79.980000
Timezone
America/Guayaquil
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Bolivar?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Bolivar is ECPBO.
Where is Port of Puerto Bolivar located?
The Port of Puerto Bolivar is located in Ecuador, El Oro. Its coordinates are -3.2700°N, -79.9800°E.
What time zone is Port of Puerto Bolivar in?
Port of Puerto Bolivar operates in the America/Guayaquil time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.16 m
Wave Direction269°
Swell Height0.1 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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