Contecon Guayaquil welcomes 1st direct service to Asia

Contecon Guayaquil S.A., International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Ecuadorian business unit operating at the Port of Guayaquil, received the inaugural call of COSCO Shipping’s Asia-Central and South America 5 (WSA5) service in late February, marking a highpoint in the country’s foreign trade. The WSA5 service is the first direct shipping connection between Ecuador and Asia via the Port of Chancay in Peru.

The WSA5 service offers a streamlined route that enables cargo to reach Shanghai in just 27 days—an improvement over existing routes with longer transit times. With a stop in Chancay, the service provides a faster, more cost-effective, and more reliable option for Ecuadorian exports, including bananas and shrimp, to Asia.

The new service strengthens the Port of Guayaquil’s position as Ecuador’s gateway to the world. With direct access to one of the largest consumer markets, Contecon Guayaquil is unlocking new growth opportunities for Ecuadorian exporters.

“This service brings together millions of people, businesses, and projects in a record time of just 27 days and 27 minutes,” said Javier Lancha (pictured, right), chief executive officer of Contecon Guayaquil.” The 27 minutes correspond to the average time it takes for transport vehicles to complete their transactions at the terminal.

“We thank COSCO for trusting us as a strategic partner and for its bold move in connecting the west coast of South America with Asia,” he added.

COSCO’s decision to add Contecon Guayaquil to the WSA5 service’s rotation highlights the terminal’s role in global trade. The service also supports Ecuador’s broader trade goals, leveraging the country’s Free Trade Agreement with China to boost exports.

The WSA5 service includes calls at key ports such as Dalian, Ningbo, Shanghai, and Qingdao in China, as well as Ensenada, Manzanillo, and Lázaro Cárdenas in Mexico, before calling at Buenaventura, Colombia; Guayaquil, Ecuador; and Chancay, Peru. From there, the service makes its way back to Shanghai and Dalian, completing a seamless trade loop between Latin America and Asia.