ICTSI investing $267m to expand Manila terminal

The expansion is in the form of a new berth, MICT’s eighth, and goes beyond ICTSI’s contractual commitments to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).  

To be constructed in phases, the eighth berth will add to MICT’s capabilities to handle containerships of up to 18,000 teu. While MICT serves regional trade lines are adding much large ships onto such services than in the past.

The new berth will create another 400 metres of quay along with 12 hectares of yard space that will bring an additional annual capacity of 200,000 teu.  When completed, the MICT will have an annual capacity of 3.5m teu, making the MICT the Philippines’ largest international gateway. 

 “We are excited to announce the development of Berth 8, which enables us to be in the same league as the world’s top terminals.  More importantly, this will bring significant economic benefits to the Philippines as we have the added capacity to handle growing trade volumes,” said ICTSI Executive Vice President Christian R. Gonzalez.

“We thank the DoTr and the PPA for supporting our initiatives and sharing our vision for a vibrant Philippine port and logistics industry that will translate to the overall prosperity of the country,” he added.

Along with equipment, Berth 8 is estimated to cost $267m. MICT is currently capable of handling neo-panamax ships through berths 6 and 7, which are operated by five quay cranes (QC). A sixth crane is scheduled to arrive in July 2023 and will be operational within the year. Berth 8 will operate with a minimum of four QCs – two of which will be delivered in 2025. 

Related:ICTSI volumes up 9% in 2022

Aside from the construction of Berth 8, ICTSI has started the modernisation of Berths 1 to 5 and their backup and yard areas. The project includes the installation of additional reefer racks to accommodate approximately 300 teu of reefer cargo.