Manta Port, operated by Agunsa in Ecuador, officially inaugurates its Passenger Terminal

Agunsa has announced the inauguration of the newest cruise terminal on South America’s Pacific Coast, in Manta, Ecuador. The facility is part of a $177m investment by Chilean terminal operator Agunsa Group, which won a 40-year concession to develop and operate Manta port in 2016.

TPM has highlighted that the cruise terminal was designed using both modern and elegant style, creating an environment that combines comfort with the most modern trends in order to provide a good environment for the passenger during their embarking and disembarkation process, also having information areas, an X ray machine, metal detector, offices, parking spaces for buses, passenger and crew control, commercial areas, Wi Fi, cafeteria, lavatories, security cameras, transfer services to and from the vessel, permanent private security, among other services.

In addition, TPM will also have another function, as a convention centre, where international and national events will be held.

Samuel Franco, general manager of Manta Port Terminal, highlighted the importance of this work for the tourism industry as it will help to consolidate even more the port of Manta as one of the most attractive tourist destinations for the cruise industry operating within Ecuador.

“It is important to highlight that this work has generated dozens of employment for Manabi labour, both direct and indirect, benefiting economically hundreds of people and families in the Manabi province. With this work finished, we can tell the world that Manta is a world class port with all of the competitive advantages that the advancement and progress that Ecuador brings,” confirmed the TPM executive.

Manta expects 15 cruise calls during the season that opens this month and stretches until August, with further calls possible. The October 2017 through August 2018 season chalked up 22 cruise ship visits, two more than the previous season, and just over 22,000 passengers.

(Agunsa)