Things to do in Manta – The Shipyard

Historically, the city of Manta has been considered the most important fishing port in Ecuador due to the fact it has the biggest fishing fleet in the country, with more than 300 industrial ships and more than 3000 artisan fishing boats.

Located at the convergence of Tarqui and Los Esteros beach. We find one of the last shipyards, where carpenters build fishing boats out of wood.  The shipyard is directly related to the city’s economic growth, and it has been present since its foundation.

Since 2008, these craftsmen have had an association named « Carpinteros Navales de Manta » (Manta’s Naval Carpenters) dedicated to manufacturing this specific type of ship. The association is formed by a considerable number of families with ancestral knowledge in the design and construction of these wonderful tools for the city’s economic progress.

Sustainable, ecologic, ductile and durable, that’s how these ships are built by Manta’s Naval Carpenters.

HOW TO GET THERE:

• If you are traveling by cruise ship, you can take a taxi from the cruise terminal to the “Astillero de Tarqui.” The taxi will charge you around 2 USD. and is 5 minute’s ride.
• If you are staying at a hotel, you can take a taxi or drive to the same area. You will easily spot the place as the ships are right on the shoreline.

INTERESTING FACTS:

• To build one of these ships, it takes the labor of 24 carpenters for 4 months.
• The cost goes from $150k to $300k USD, depending on the loading capacity.
• Around 200 carpenters work in this business.
• Carpenters are grateful for the “new” technologies, like the chainsaw but they still use unreplaceable tools that are almost 100 years old!

For more interesting facts, you can take a guided visit to our Taste of Ecuador shore excursion.

We’ll keep delivering more things to do in Manta soon!

See you next time and enjoy the city!