Contecon Guayaquil welcomes first direct banana shipping service to Asia

ASIA/ECUADOR – Contecon Guayaquil S.A., the Ecuadorian unit of International Container Terminal Services, Inc., has marked a major milestone in trade by receiving the first call of COSCO Shipping’s Asia-Central and South America 5 (WSA5) service.

The vessel arrived on February 21 at the Port of Guayaquil, creating a direct connection between Ecuador and Asia through the Port of Chancay in Peru.

This new service cuts transit times significantly, enabling shipments to reach Shanghai in just 27 days. Previous routes required longer durations, making this development a welcomed improvement for exporters.

With a key stop in Chancay, the service not only speeds up transport but also provides a more cost-effective and dependable option for moving goods, particularly Ecuador’s top export—bananas—to Asia.

“The service brings together millions of people, businesses, and projects in a record time of just 27 days and 27 minutes,” said Javier Lancha, chief executive officer of Contecon Guayaquil. “The 27 minutes correspond to the average time it takes for transport vehicles to complete their transactions at the terminal.”

The addition of Contecon Guayaquil to COSCO’s WSA5 rotation strengthens Ecuador’s position in global trade.

By linking directly to key Asian markets, Ecuadorian exporters gain improved access to a region with a growing demand for fresh produce.

The WSA5 service stops at major ports in China, including Dalian, Ningbo, Shanghai, and Qingdao. It also connects with Mexican ports such as Ensenada, Manzanillo, and Lázaro Cárdenas before reaching Buenaventura in Colombia, Guayaquil in Ecuador, and Chancay in Peru.

From there, it completes the trade cycle back to China, creating a steady and efficient flow of goods.

“We thank COSCO for trusting us as a strategic partner and for its bold move in connecting the west coast of South America with Asia,” Lancha added.

Ecuador’s Free Trade Agreement with China plays a crucial role in boosting trade through this new service.

With direct access to one of the largest consumer markets, Ecuadorian exporters can expand their reach while improving efficiency in shipping logistics.

Growing demand for Ecuadorian produce in Asia

Bananas remain Ecuador’s most prominent export, with Asia being a key market. Ecuador leads the world in banana exports, and China has been increasing its imports to meet rising consumer demand.

Alongside bananas, Ecuador has started shipping other fruits such as yellow dragon fruit to Asia. In a recent example, over 11 metric tons of yellow dragon fruit were sent to China within two weeks, highlighting the growing interest in Ecuadorian fresh produce.

In 2023, Asia imported 15.6 million metric tons of fresh fruit from various sources, reflecting a 4.1% increase from the previous year.

While specific numbers for Ecuador’s contribution are not detailed, the significance of its role in the fresh fruit trade remains strong.

Contecon Guayaquil continues to enhance trade connectivity by ensuring reliable and efficient port services.

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