DELPHI- SWOT Tools Used in Strategic Planning of the Port of Manta

Abstract Latin American ports are continuously growing, prior research were focused on the Panama Canal, but nowadays South American ports which are the gateway to America and Asia become important and are the new focus of port investigators, for this reason South American ports compete, promoting their strategic locations and facilities for the arrival of large ships. This paper aims to apply tools like Delphi and SWOT analysis for strategic planning of the Port of Manta. SWOT Analysis quantitative model and expert judgment Delphi Panel which consists of practical and theoretical experts who have knowledge of the reality of the Port of Manta and researchers in logistics and international shipping. The strategic proposal for the specific case of the Port of Manta is based on offensive strategies which are the ideal position for the port that lead to rapid growth in the maritime market.