As reported recently by Ecuadorian media, BanEcuador has announced an initial allocation of $50 million in microcredits to combat the Moko disease, the bacterial infection that affects banana and plantain crops. The maximum amount available per applicant is $150,000, with a maximum financing term of 36 months. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Committee for the Prevention of Moko and other diseases, which includes the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and the Agency for Regulation and Phytosanitary and Zoosanitary Control (Agrocalidad).

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has expanded its fleet with impressive orders for ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) in China. The recently delivered ULCV, the MSC Tessa, is part of a new class of ULCVs. With a capacity rating of 24,116 TEU, it is currently the largest containership worldwide. Notably, the MSC Tessa incorporates energy-saving technologies, including an air lubrication system and shaft generators, to enhance efficiency and reduce drag. MSC’s new class of ULCVs comprises 14 vessels with similar design features.

Hapag-Lloyd reported a 5% increase in transport volumes, reaching 6.1 million TEU in the first half of 2024, compared to the same period in the previous year. Despite the end of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly changing market conditions, the company’s performance exceeded initial expectations due to higher demand and rising spot rates in Q2 2024. However, these results were still below the previous year’s level.

China Ocean Shipping Company, Limited (COSCO) is gearing up to commence operations at the Port of Guayaquil in November. The goal is to open an export route from Guayaquil to the new port of Chancay (Peru) and, from there, travel directly to Shanghai and Dalian.

Port Santo Tomás de Castilla authorities have announced the resumption of operations following the removal of protestors obstructing access to the container loading and unloading area. For two days, former Empornac employees had blocked access and disrupted container loading and unloading operations. The National Civil Police (PNC) successfully cleared a group of protestors who had been obstructing the entrance to the Empresa Portuaria Nacional Santo Tomás de Castilla (Empornac) since August 6.

On August 14, the Banana Marketing and Export Association (ACORBANEC) enthusiastically announced the launch of the Banana Business Machala 2024 international convention. This event, set to be a milestone, will be held in November and will mark the first time that a trade fair and banana congress of such magnitude takes place in the capital of El Oro.

The maritime sector is witnessing a resurgence in container ship builds. The recent Red Sea crisis has propelled freight and charter rates to unprecedented levels, reminiscent of the pandemic's peak period. June and the first half of July saw the commissioning of 89 ships, totalling 1.2 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), marking the highest rate of orders since the pandemic boom.

A.P. Moller Maersk has announced plans to sign new building orders and time-charter contracts for dual-fuel vessels, aiming to match its planned renewal pace of around 160,000 TEUs annually. As disclosed, these orders continue Maersk's fleet renewal program initiated in 2021. The orders will include 50-60 containerships, combining owned and chartered dual-fuel vessels, equaling 800,000 TEU. Approximately 300,000 TEU will be owned capacity, while the remaining 500,000 TEU will be through time-charter agreements.

The world's top two container lines are preparing to go separate ways next year. Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) now boasts a fleet exceeding 6 million TEU, commanding a 20% share of the globally operated container fleet. In contrast, Maersk, which held the title of the largest liner in the world until early 2022, is witnessing a significant erosion in its market share as it adheres to a fleet size cap policy introduced under former CEO Soren Skou.

For the third day in a row, the Empresa Portuaria Nacional Santo Tomás de Castilla (Empornac) has faced a blockade that has halted critical operations. A group from Izabal, vocalizing their concerns over the alleged privatization of port services, has steadfastly maintained its position at the port's entrance since Tuesday, August 6.

Aiming to strengthen female participation in the agricultural sector, over 50 women from the provinces of Guayas, El Oro, Santa Elena, Los Ríos, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas gathered for the dissemination of the Public Agricultural Policy for Rural Women (PAMUR). This event, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) through the Undersecretariat of Peasant Family Agriculture, was attended by women who contributed to the creation of the National Agricultural Strategy for Rural Women (ENAMIR) in the past.

The Association of Banana Producers of the Canary Islands (Asprocan) has rejected the non-legislative proposal approved by the Canary Islands Parliament, which sets a maximum of 65,000 kilos per hectare for aid to banana production. Asprocan considers this measure a "big mistake". In a statement, Asprocan points out that the Parliament's Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee, together with the councillor for the area, Narvay Quintero, approved this initiative with two amendments that divide the sector and violate the requests of the Banana Producers' Organisations of the Canary Islands.

The Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT), operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), recently received the inaugural call of SITC's new China-Philippines Express 7 (CXP7) service. This service addresses the growing export volume of fresh produce, including pineapples and bananas from Bukidnon. The CXP7 service covers the ports of Shanghai, Wenzhou, Manila (South), Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro (MCT). MCT receives calls from this service every Monday.

Global shipbuilding capacity is set to grow by a per cent with the reactivation of one of the most famous shipyards from the previous boom and bust era of shipping. MB Shipbroking, formerly Maersk Broker, reports that Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries, once China's most prominent private shipyard, will reopen with the world's most extensive container line as one of its first clients.

As part of the Transit Booking System, the Panama Canal introduced a Long-Term Slot Allocation (LoTSA) Method for Neopanamax vessels. With this new measure, Panama Canal aims to increase transit certainty and flexibility for its clients. Currently, the Transit Booking System slot offering is done daily with an anticipation period before the required transit date.