Manila: Listed port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) said it has taken over the Muara Container Terminal (MCT) in Brunei Darussalam, which it will operate and maintain for the next four years.
MCT is located in Muara Port, the main trading gateway for Brunei. It is situated at the estuary of the Brunei River, about 15 kilometers from the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. At this point, there are already talks for expansion of the facility's annual capacity for up to 800,000 teu, which may be finished by 2012.
The said facility has a current capacity of 220,000 teu per year and a total area of five hectares. It has a side berth draft of 12.5 meters, container yard of 1,295 ground slots, 5,000 square meters modern container freight station and 156 reefer points.
As terminal operator, ICTSl will be providing assistance in the design of the 660-meter terminal to be constructed by the Brunei Economic Development Board on Pulau Muara Besar Island. After construction of the terminal, the Philippine-based company will undertake storage and handling of all container cargo through the terminal under a concession agreement.
ICTSI won in a bidding, besting seven other contenders. Previously, PSA International operated the port but decided to hand over the operation back to the government.
The Razon-controlled company also has overseas facilities in Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Georgia, Indonesia, Madagascar, Poland, and Syria. ICTSI is the biggest port operator in the Philippines, with Manila International Container Terminal as its flagship. [25/05/09]
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