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DP World aims to replicate Jebel Ali success in Ecuador’s new Posorja portDP World aims to replicate Jebel Ali success in Ecuador’s new Posorja port

The $538m first phase of DP World's new deep-water port of Posorja in Ecuador, is now completed and operational.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

October 10, 2019

2 Min Read
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The $1.2bn in total project aims to replicate Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone, 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 teu.

The port, which has already been operational for two months, handling thousands of containers and more than a dozen post-panamax ships, was visited by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World group chairman and ceo who said that “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.”

Posorja is expected to receive an annual volume of 750,000 teu during the first phase, and 1.5m teu 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.

“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,” he said.

Phase two of DP World’s project in Ecuador will see the development of ‘Posorja ZEDE’; a special economic zone (SEZ) for maritime, logistics and light industrial businesses.

The Free Zone will be modelled on Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone in the UAE, home to more than 7,500 companies, which together are responsible for around 35% of Dubai’s GDP and employ more than 135,000 people.

Once completed, the 1,000,070 sq m 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.

Read more about:

DP WorldJebel Ali Port

About the Author

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

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