Port concessions face legal challenge

Port concession programs in Ecuador are in jeopardy following legal actions to block the process at individual ports, El Universo reports. The actions aim to keep the ports under local-government control. The Constitutional Tribunal (TC) has yet to announce whether it will impose injunctions halting concession programs at two of the four ports undergoing the process that have been requested by local groups. Puerto Bolivar Port Authority (APPB) and Esmeraldas are the affected ports. Esmeraldas has awarded the concession to New Millennium but an injunction by city major Ernesto Estupinan, will paralyze delivery of operations to the concessionaire. Puerto Bolivar has prequalified Mar Global, Ecuaestibas and a private individual for its concession, but also faces an injunction. The ports of Manta and Guayaquil have defined their concession programs and may yet face similar action. Guayaquil Port Authority (APG) has attracted interest from Germany, Spain and others countries and should end its concession program in January 2005. Manta has completed economic feasibility studies to give a port concession in November next year.