Puerto Bolívar

The following Environmental and Social information has been provided by the Company:  i) Environmental Impact Assessment study (EIA) corresponding to the “Construction and Operation of the Port Terminal”; ii) EIA for the “Dredging of the Docks, Maneuvering Area and Access Channel of Puerto Bolívar”, both EIAs were prepared under the Company's mandate by the local environmental consultancy 'ECOSFERA'; iii) Environmental License (2018) for the execution of the project: “Construction and Operation of the terminal port of Puerto Bolivar, under code GADPEO-2018-009363-SUIA, granted to YILPORT TERMINAL OPERATIONS (YILPORTECU) S. A. by the Decentralized Autonomous Government (DAG) of El Oro Province; and iv) Environmental License (2017) for the execution of the project: Ex Ante “Dredging of the Docks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Maneuver Zone and Access Channel of Puerto Bolivar”, under code MAE-RA-2017- 297974 granted to YILPORTECU S. A. by the Provincial Department of the Environment of El Oro Province, on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment (MAE).

The  main potential impacts and risks during the implementation and operation phases of the Project include the following: i) Potential impact on mangrove ecosystems (some patches can be found within the area of ​​direct influence of the port); ii) potential contamination of soil and water; iii) Atmospheric emissions, noise, vibrations and dust generation from the construction and operation activities of trucks and heavy machinery; iv) Impacts on the local urban population; v) visual and landscape impacts; vi) Increase in the generation of solid waste and wastewater; vii) Increase of safety risks for the local community due to the traffic of construction vehicles; viii) discharge of wastewater from port facilities; ix) discharges of sewage and ballast from ships; x) Storage and handling of dangerous substances (for example, fuel, lubricants, etc.); xi) Accident and spill risks during land transport activities related to the port; xii) the health and safety risks associated with the operation of heavy machinery; xiii) Cumulative impacts generated by existing port facilities and new future companies in the area of ​​influence; xiv) Potential impacts to marine life from dredging and disposal of dredged material at sea; xv) Atmospheric emissions, noise and dust generation from dredging activities; xvi) Possible re suspension of contaminants due to dredging activities; and xvii) Security risks associated with transportation of cargo for export.

It is worth to point that the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has the necessary provisions to manage main potential impacts and risks. In addition, the EIAs identifies that the areas of direct influence of the Project does not intersect with protected areas or cultural heritage. According to the available information, no land acquisition is anticipated for Phase 1 and no indigenous community will be affected.

However, these issues will be verified during the Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD). The IDB Invest’s Environmental and Social Sustainability Policy will be activated and at least the following Performance Standards (PS) of the International Financing Corporation (IFC)  will be activated by the project: i) PS 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts, ii) PS 2: Labor and Working Conditions, iii) PS 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention, iv) PS 4: Community Health, Safety, and Security, and v) PS6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources.

The Project has been classified as a Category "A" in accordance with the Environmental and Social Sustainability Policy of BID Invest. The analysis of the information provided so far identified the several gaps with respect to the Sustainability Policy and will be further evaluated during the ESDD:

• E&S Baseline and assessment of Social and Biotical Impacts (Potential impacts to shoreline vegetation, fisheries, bird life, and other sensitive aquatic and near-shore habitats during port construction and operation);
• Community health and safety issues;
• Identification and Analysis of relevant stakeholders;
• Effects and mitigation plans for economic impacts to local communities. 
• Disclosure of Information;
• Informed Stakeholder Consultation and Participation (community leaders, municipality, state and federal agencies and any other relevant third parties);
• Private Sector Responsibilities Under Government-Led Stakeholder Engagement;
• External Communications and Grievance Mechanism;
• Analysis of alternatives;
• Evaluation and management of cumulative impacts;
• Environmental and social management system for Construction and Operation phases (for the Company, contractors, subcontractors and local providers);
• Labor issues and working conditions, including worker’s accommodations, discrimination and gender issues; and
• Grievance mechanism for workers.

Besides focusing on assuring the Project’s compliance with the IDB Invest’s Sustainability Policy, following issues will also be analyzed:

• Evaluation of the permitting process/ licensing and construction status;
• Environmental Monitoring;
• Occupational Health and Safety Monitoring;
• Handling of dredging materials;
• Maintenance Dredging;
• Risk assessment of Occupational Safety and Health;
• Risk assessment of Port Security;
• Risk assessment of natural disasters;
• Solid waste management;
• Hazardous materials and oil management;
• Port Sewage and Storm water;
• Port Marine Safety;
• Visual Impacts; and
• Dust & Noise.

IDB Invest will carry out a complete Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) that will include the review of documents, site visits and meetings / interviews with key stakeholders. The ESDD will also have the participation of specialized external experts, through an independent environmental and social consulting firm. During the ESDD, the IDB Invest and the consulting firm will evaluate the main risks of the Project, assess the environmental and social management gaps with respect to its E&S Sustainability Policy and propose mitigation measures in the form of an environmental and social action plan (ESAP), and an Environmental Monitoring Report (at least annually during the term of the investment), to be agreed with the client. Upon completion of the ESDD, an environmental and social review summary (ESRS) will be prepared and posted on this webpage.

Contact Information

For project inquiries, including environmental and social questions related to an IDB Invest transaction please contact the client (see Investment Summary tab), or IDB Invest using the email requestinformation@idbinvest.org. As a last resort, affected communities have access to the IDB Invest Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism by writing to mecanismo@iadb.org or  MICI@iadb.org, or calling +1(202) 623-3952.