The new concessionaire of the port of Puerto Bolivar, Yilport Ecu SA, plans to increase port service tariffs for the banana sector in Ecuador by more than 160%.
One of the most questioned rates is the stowage of a box, which would rise from 13 to 34 cents in April.
Eduardo Ledesma, the president of the Association of Banana Exporters (AEBE), told El Universo that they were evaluating moving their cargo to Guayaquil. Segundo Solano, head of the Association of Banana Producers from El Oro, said this "means paying US $0.50 per box, which is the cost of moving cargo, in addition to spoiling."
Ledesma said they were negotiating with the port authorities to avoid a rise in costs that would decrease the competitiveness of the banana producers in the province of El Oro.
Carlos Falquez Aguilar, the mayor of Machala, the regional capital, said that they would conduct mobilizations if necessary, "either they rectify or they leave. If we have to take to the streets tomorrow or the day after to defend the port, we'll do it."
Source: MundoMaritimo