Judge Oswaldo Dávila of the Northern Criminal Court Unit No. 2 in Guayaquil approved the protective action with precautionary measures filed by the company Agencias Universales (Agunsa) against the Port Authority of Manta (APM). The Chilean company is the concessionaire of the international cargo terminal of the port of Manta through Terminal Portuario Manta (TPM).

After two unsuccessful attempts to schedule a hearing, on November 10 and 24, it was finally held on December 1, and on that day the judge found that any administrative act that continues the process of seeking a discharge by APM against TPM and the Agunsa group in order to justify the share transfers made in November 2022.

Port of Manta, in the midst of works and conflict between the concessionaire and the port authority

The move by the Chilean company came after the APM condemned the alleged sale of shares and unfairness in the distribution of resources to the state.

Last November, TPM president Roberto Salazar told this newspaper that the sale was not carried out, that there was a restructuring, but that it was not realized either.

According to the APM, the precautionary measures prevent the APM from continuing any internal administrative procedure that allows it to “exercise the authority of control over a contract signed between the parties and which the controller has classified as harmful to the State of Ecuador by the General of the State.” .

The port of Manta was awarded to the Chilean Agunsa for 40 years

As a measure of redress, Judge Dávila ordered the closure of the administrative proceedings and the publication of a press release by APM clarifying that the plaintiff did not comply with the provisions.

However, APM appealed the decision, as indicated, so that the judges of the Provincial Court of Guayas will hear this case.

The international cargo terminal in the port of Manta was concessioned to Agunsa for 40 years. The contract was signed in December 2016, and work began in March 2017 (I)