| Country | Ecuador |
| Port/s | Esmeraldas |
| Issue Type | Incidents |
| Impact | Partial Closure |
On 26 May 2025, a fire broke out at the Esmeraldas Refinery, the largest oil refinery in Ecuador, operated by Petroecuador. The fire originated in a fuel oil storage tank located in the utilities area of the plant, generating a thick column of black smoke visible from various parts of the city.
The fire was brought under control approximately one hour after it started, thanks to the immediate activation of Petroecuador’s emergency protocol and the coordinated response of firefighters, police, and military units. The National Emergency Operations Committee (COE) was also activated. This incident follows a series of recent operational issues at the refinery.
The Esmeraldas Refinery has a processing capacity of 110,000 barrels per day and plays a critical role in the production of fuels such as petrol, diesel, and LPG for the country.
Estimated Recovery Timeline – Status as of 28 May 2025
As of today, no official date has been confirmed for the full resumption of operations at the Esmeraldas Refinery. Authorities are currently assessing the technical and electrical damage caused by the fire.
Further updates on the recovery timeline are expected in the coming days.
For more information, please feel free to reach out to your local Inchcape office: