Contecon Guayaquil S.A. (CGSA), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Ecuadorian unit, recently handled the inaugural call of Zim Shipping Line at the port of Guayaquil.

The latter has just launched its ZIM Colibri Express (ZCX) Service, an independent weekly service from South America West Coast to US East Coast.

The ZCX Service places emphasis on refrigerated cargoes from Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. It makes use of six 1,700-TEU capacity vessels with increased reefer capacities.

The EM SPETSES was the first ZIM vessel to arrive at the Guayaquil terminal.

The vessels will call Contecon twice a week, approximately 42 days after departing from the port of origin.

ZCX Service will follow a rotation, from San Antonio (Chile), Callao (Peru), Guayaquil (Ecuador) – Cartagena (Colombia) – Kingston (Jamaica) – Philadelphia - Miami, Kingston (Jamaica)- Buenaventura (Colombia) – Guayaquil (Ecuador) – Callao (Peru) - San Antonio (Chile).

“In this alliance with ZIM, we are part of a route of large and important port terminals," explained Javier Lancha de Micheo, CGSA Chief Executive Officer.

"In addition, Ecuador is consolidated within the routes that open the doors to its products,” he noted

ZIM’s arrival in Ecuador reflects the confidence of international shipping companies in Contecon’s operational efficiency, safety, security, and in its exceptional business model, where all investments are focused on providing integrated logistics services using cutting-edge technology.

Since 2007, the year Contecon began operations, the concessionaire has invested more than $400 million.

"As strategic partners of Ecuador, we have contributed and invested in every link of foreign trade," Lancha pointed out.

"These investments attract shipping companies such as ZIM, which operate in the world’s major ports and demand the highest standards for their operations and partners with a long-term vision to ensure sustainable value creation," he elaborated

In 2007, the port authority of Guayaquil, Autoridad Portuario de Guayaquil (APG), awarded ICTSI a 20-year operating concession for the Container and Multipurpose Terminals in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

The terminal handles containerized, general and bulk cargo.

Afterwards, APG and Contecon Guayaquil SA, ICTSI’s local operating unit, formally signed a contract.