Optimizing marine transport of food products to Galapagos ... · Optimizing maritime cargo...

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GALAPAGOS REPORT 2009 -2010

Air Maritime TOTA L

Quito Guayaquil GuayaquilMonth

Packages Kg Packages Kg Packages KgKgPackages

January

February

March

April

May

June

Total

% 9 % 13. 7% 4.3 % 5.2% 86.7% 81.1% 100% 100%

19 450

3 730

4 400

4 800

5 058

4 799

42 237

82 088

75 344

80 039

92 212

91 269

87 696

508 648

2 944

3 558

3 387

2 971

3 877

3 677

20 414

7 053

38 735

35 382

34 374

40 089

37 960

193 593

19 491

60 113

72 321

79 435

87 533

90 019

408 912

203 849

400 345

523 417

615 846

629 872

640 981

3 014 310

41 885

67 401

80 108

87 206

96 468

98 495

471 563

292 990

514 424

638 838

742 429

761 230

766 637

3 716 551

Table 1. Quantity of cargo transported from continental Ecuador by air and maritime routes (2009).

Optimizing marine transport of foodproducts to Galapagos: advances inthe implementation plan

Governing Council of Galapagos

Maritime transport has been the principal means of supplying theGalapagos population with a wide range of products. Since the veryfirst humans inhabited Galapagos, cargo ships have transported pro-visions and other products unavailable in Galapagos in shipmentsthat increased in size and frequency with the growth of the popula-tion. Today, 86.7% of cargo destined for Galapagos is transported bysea, since maritime transport is the most inexpensive means of deliv-ering goods to the archipelago (Table 1). However, maritime trans-port presents greater probability of food safety problems because ofthe poor quality of docks, ships, and the latent risk of transportingand introducing invasive pests to Galapagos. It is estimated thatmore than 75% of the food products that arrive in Galapagos entervia maritime routes (Zapata, 2007). Guayaquil is the primary portfrom which cargo is shipped to Galapagos.

Photo: Jacintha Castora Photography



Economic development has generated a continualincrease in the demand for agricultural productsamong inhabitants of the islands and the thousandsof tourists who visit Galapagos annually. Food prod-ucts are transported to Galapagos from different partsof Ecuador under climatologically adverse conditions.Physical damage is common, caused by improperhandling, pests, temperature changes, and prolongedstorage.

Optimizing maritime cargo transport

On January 21, 2008, the INGALA Council approved aproject and implementation plan entitled “A Systemto Optimize Maritime Transport,” with a key goalbeing the optimization of maritime transport of foodproducts. In this same year, a phytosanitary emer-gency was declared in Galapagos because of theintroduction of the fruit fly.

The National Institute of Galapagos (INGALA), theEcuadorian Agency for Quality Assurance inAgriculture (AGROCALIDAD), and representatives ofthe commercial sector of the islands established a listof appropriate packing materials according to thecharacteristics of the product to be transported. Thislist was approved in December 2008 by the

Agricultural Health Committee, the entity responsiblefor planning and ensuring compliance with healthand phytosanitary measures in Galapagos.

This article documents problems associated withthe traditional maritime transport system, advancesin the implementation of the new system, andimprovements planned for the coming years.

Traditional system of transporting cargo to Galapagos

During the last 10 years the number of cargo shipsserving Galapagos has fluctuated between four andfive, with ships averaging between 30 and 40 yearsold. Ships deliver food products to the three principalislands in the archipelago: San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz,and Isabela. On average, each ship completes itsdelivery route (Guayaquil-Galapagos-Guayaquil) inthree weeks. The capacity of the ships ranges from300 to 1100 tons (Zapata, 2005). Food products (ani-mal and vegetable) represent 7% of the total mar-itime cargo. This low percentage has resulted in foodshortages and price speculation in local stores.

The new plan addresses the many problems iden-tified in the current maritime transport system (Table2; Figures 1-4).

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Traditional Transport System Problems Identified Potential Solutions

Cargo is loaded on thecity of Guayaquil dock

• Lack of port infrastructure forproper loading and quarantinecontrol

• Physical damage to cargo espe-cially food products due to poorhandling

• Implement the use of containers and mechanized loading techniques

Port facilities

• An ideal location has not beenidentified in Guayaquil for theconstruction of an improved portfacility with quarantine facilities

• The docks of Guayaquil andGalapagos do not have restrictedareas for personnel, climate-con-trolled storage areas, or cold stor-age for products arriving fromother regions

• The docks of Galapagos aremade from reinforced concrete

• Conduct design studies for portfacilities on the islands of SanCristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela

• Acquire a location in Guayaquilfor the construction of a portauthority for cargo and quaran-tine control

• Construct port facilities on theislands of San Cristóbal, SantaCruz, Isabela, and the city ofGuayaquil

Table 2. Problems and potential solutions associated with the current maritime transport system.



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Port facilities

and do not have adequate spacefor proper port facilities, includingquarantine control for food prod-ucts that arrive in Galapagos

• The docks in Galapagos do nothave mechanical cranes to opti-mize loading and unloading oper-ations (it is currently done bymanual labor)

• The docks in Galapagos are usedfor multiple purposes (fishing,fueling, and local inter-islandtransport)

Pest control and fumigation

• Pest control/fumigation systemson docks, ships, or in cargo facili-ties do not exist

• Procedures do not exist to certify fumigation services or to verify compliance with fumigations controls

• Initiate pest control and fumigation procedures andquarantine of food products, merchandise, docks, and shipsin the city of Guayaquil

Quarantine measures

• There are no approved quaran-tine procedures for cargo andfood products in Galapagos or inGuayaquil

• Current quarantine measuresinclude random visual inspec-tions; 60% of the cargo enteringGalapagos via maritime transportis inspected in this manner

• Develop a procedures manual for each type of food and restricted product

• Inspect 95% of the food products that are shipped from the city of Guayaquil

Ships without infrastructureto transport food products

• The majority of ships do nothave storage holds that canensure proper refrigeration of per-ishable products

• The walls of the holds are oxi-dized and in bad condition andcan contribute to the deteriora-tion of cargo—especially foodproducts

• Ships regularly overload cargoholds

• Shipping containers are not used

• Implement the use of cold chambers

• Update older ships in the maritime cargo fleet



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Traditional Transport System Problems Identified Potential Solutions

Storage onboard ships

• Essential goods, food, non-organic cargo, and inflammablegoods, such as construction sup-plies, household supplies, andcooking gas, are stored in thesame locations within ships; spe-cialized holds do not exist for stor-ing different kinds of items, andcross contamination occurs

• Food cargo and general cargoare loaded without any kind ofplanning or procedures

• Train dock hands, port personnel, and maritime transport personal

Unloading in Galapagos

• Unloading is done manually andin an unorganized fashion, result-ing in mishandling and damage tocargo especially food products

• Food and perishable productsare damaged during stowagebecause of inadequate orinappropriate packing materials

• The smaller boats and bargesused to transfer cargo fromanchored ships to the docks arenot regularly cleaned, disinfected,or fumigated

• These boats are obsolete and are inadequate for transportingperishable food and general merchandise

• Train the dock handlers in theislands

• Renovate the barges used totransfer cargo especially food and perishable items from theboats to the docks in the islands

Commercialization of essential goods and food

• Due to scarcity of food products,many inhabitants of the islandsare obliged to buy products inbad condition and possibly con-taminated with bacteria, parasites,toxins, etc., which could causegastrointestinal problems especially among young people

• Train the commercial sector in best practices in handling, storage, and commercialization



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Figure 1. Ship transporting cargo overcapacity and in unsanitary conditions.

Figure 2. There is no evidence of applica-tion of physical methods to control pests onthe deck of the cargo ships.

Figure 3. Storage of organic consumerproducts alongside sacks of cement in thehold of the ship.



As a result of current handling practices and inade-quate infrastructure, food products—especially fruit,vegetables, legumes, grains, and meat and dairyproducts—often arrive in Galapagos in bad condi-tion. Between 2000 and 2008, 60% of the food prod-ucts that were confiscated were prohibited products(PP), 30% were restricted products (RP), 8% were inpoor condition (PC), and 2% were infested with pests(IP) (Table 3). The current system allows for the possi-ble introduction of pests, including insects, rodents,

mammals, and reptiles, which could have negativeeffects on the unique ecosystems of Galapagos.Eradication and control of invasive species is expen-sive and not always possible. The cost associated withintroduced species affects everyone in Galapagos—especially farmers and the institutions in charge oferadicating and controlling introduced species in theGalapagos National Park.

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Figure 4. Caraguay Dock in the city ofGuayaquil, where cargo ships destined forGalapagos are loaded. There are no mechanicalcranes, no areas for pest control, receipt/han-dling of cargo, or road access to protect foodcargo.

PP197475566504

130313421277141416545664

RP57

114161

66783587525696814

2293

PC37

349347295229260244

94232

1761

IP17634472

145119105112

55565

Total308

10011118

93724602308215123162755

15 354

Year200020012002200320042005200620072008

Total

Table 3. Units of food cargo confiscated in Guayaquil, Quito, and Galapagos between 2000 and 2008(PP=Prohibited Products; RP=Restricted Products; PC=Poor Condition; IP=Infested Products).

Implementation of system to optimize the transport of maritime cargo

The implementation plan includes the production ofa guide geared to suppliers, transportation compa-nies, and merchants that explains the use of appropri-ate packaging materials and techniques for differentkinds of food products (Figure 5). For example, theuse of plastic bins, appropriately sized cardboard

boxes, and sacks for less delicate items makes cargomore uniform and optimizes the space in the holds ofships (Figure 6). It also facilitates phytosanitary con-trols and the loading and unloading of products. Theguides were handed out at events held by INGALAand other organizations in Galapagos and the infor-mation was also disseminated via local radio and tele-vision.



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Figure 6. Implementation of the measures outlined in the Packaging Guide, with packaging selected according to the type of produce.

Figure 5 . Packaging guide for food products, designed to educate the commercial sector about selecting packing materials accordingto the characteristics of different products.

Labeling cargo—especially food items—is essential.To assist in this, INGALA designed and distributed aguide of symbols used for the handling and storage ofcargo. Packaging of items destined for Galapagosshould include the following information: name ofthe consignee, island of destination, storage require-ments (for food products), and symbols that orienthandlers about how to handle the product. Beginningin 2010 colored tapes are used to identify the island ofdestination. This has helped to reduce confusion andeconomic losses.

INGALA and AGROCALIDAD signed an agree-ment to design a campaign to certify Galapagos mer-chants selling food products, in order to facilitate thecollection of information by food quality inspectors.The campaign was carried out in August 2009, during

which time 264, 93, and 29 merchants were registeredon Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, and Isabela, respectively.Merchants provided basic information about theirproducts (origin, destination, areas free of pests, list ofpests, etc.). This process also provided an opportunityto identify individuals with irregular immigration sta-tus who were involved in the commercialization ofbasic goods.

INGALA will use the information obtainedthrough this process to create a phytosanitary moni-toring system to prevent the introduction of pestsand to provide up-to-date, relevant information toplanners and decision-makers. The implementation ofthis system involves educational activities for mer-chants, consumers, and inspectors on best practicesfor handling food items, food safety, and quarantine

Figure 7. Guide of best practices - developedto prevent physical, chemical, and microbiolog-ical contamination of food products through-out the transportation chain and in local stores.

During three participatory meetings, representativesof the five maritime transport companies servingGalapagos and four representatives from the institu-tions responsible for pest control, quality of foodproducts, and maritime safety (Galapagos NationalPark, AGROCALIDAD, INGALA, and the Directorate ofInsular Water Areas) established requirements forships carrying food products to Galapagos. The mostimportant requirement is the separation of general

cargo from food products. The regulations stipulatethat fruits, vegetables, and legumes must be transport-ed in holds with cold storage capacity. Shellfish, fish,and processed meats must be kept frozen. Food prod-ucts that do not need to be refrigerated must betransported in sealed holds. General cargo and dan-gerous items must be kept in holds that are hermeti-cally separated from items for human consumption(Figure 8).

Figure 8. Climate controlled storage containersonboard cargo ships help to preserve productsduring the three-day voyage from Guayaquil toGalapagos.

Another requirement is that boats must be fumigatedbefore departing the mainland with cargo. SinceSeptember 2009, maritime authorities have prohibitedthe departure of three ships that did not comply withthis requirement. INGALA and AGROCALIDAD have

developed and disseminated a list of certified fumiga-tion companies that can be used by ships traveling toGalapagos (Table 4).

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procedures. A guide has been designed on best prac-tices related to preventative sanitary practices toreduce the risk of contamination of food products and

the introduction of pests, which will help to guaran-tee the health of consumers and Galapagos ecosys-tems (Figure 7).



Name of the company

Legalrepresentative

Province Products used

RizobacterEcuatoriana

Tomas CantoreMugica

Guayas Air andmaritime

BalinFumigaciones

Mauricio PeraltaHidalgo

Pichincha

Desinpalet Juan del Pozo Pichincha Palette Bromuro de metilo

GalápagosRadiante

Grace Vascones Galápagos Air andmaritime

Air andmaritime

Air andmaritime

SEGMAR Gerardo Vargas Guayas andGalápagos

Mode of transport they can fumigate

SIPERTRIN beta cipermetrina 5% concentrated suspension

MAXFORCE CUCARACHAS (Fipronil 0.01%)

MAXFORCE HORMIGA(Hydramethyl non 1.0%)

KLERAT BLOQUE PARAFINADO (Brodifacuom 0.05 g/kg of product)













Table 4. Fumigation companies certified by AGROCALIDAD.

In 2008, the Government of Ecuador facilitated theentry of two new ships (Angelina I and Galapagos) tothe maritime transport fleet in order to ensure an ade-quate supply of food items for Galapagos (Figure 9).Both ships are equipped for proper transport oforganic materials.

INGALA is working with the ProvincialGovernment, the Sub-secretary of Ports andTransportation, and the Consortium of Galapagos

Municipalities on the design of new port facilities forGalapagos, which will include piers equipped forloading and unloading and quarantine areas. INGALAprovided $50,000 to the local governments of SantaCruz and Isabela for studies and designs associatedwith new port facilities. In the case of San Cristóbal,INGALA will invest $50,000 to contract consultants tocarry out similar studies and designs. INGALA hasinvested $25,000 in a study to identify sites for dedi-

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Figure 9. New cargo ships for Galapagos, theAngelina I (top) and the Galapagos (bottom).According to the new shipping regulations, onlyvessels with proper loading equipment and coldstorage can enter the fleet.

cated port and quarantine facilities on the mainland.Once a location has been identified, design serviceswill be contracted.

During the first 20 months following the imple-mentation of the Plan, INGALA invested a total ofUS$128,730 and implemented 39% of the project. Theimplementation plan, to be completed in 2012, hasthree components: (i) optimization of cargo (quaran-tine controls, fumigations/pest control); (ii) optimiza-tion of ship infrastructure, and (iii) optimization ofport facilities.

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