ICTSI launches new berth at Manila port
Philippine President Benigno Aquino inaugurated International Container Terminal Services Inc’s (ICTSI) sixth berth at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), Cargonews Asia reports.
With an investment of US$200 million, Berth 6 further boosts operations and services at the MICT through an expanded port facility and an increased terminal capacity from the existing 1.9 million TEUs to 2.5 million TEUs.
“Today, we proudly open for business MICT’s sixth berth expansion after two years of construction and development. We are doubly proud and honored that President Aquino has taken the time to be with us on this special occasion,” said Enrique Razon, ICTSI chairman and president.
“This new berth has been completed at the most opportune time. With the country attracting more foreign investment than ever, we now have added capacity to quickly and efficiently move cargo. Berth 6 will enable the seamless facilitation of the Philippines’ growing global trade in the next few years,” he added.
Berth 6 is ICTSI’s response to the growing volumes at the MICT. The expansion is also part of the concession agreement between ICTSI and port regulator Philippine Ports Authority when the former won the 25+25 year concession to operate, manage and develop the MICT in 1987.
The new facility adds to the existing terminal 300m of berth and 12 hectares of container storage space. The new berth is equipped with two post-panamax twin lift quay cranes and 10 rubber-tyred gantries. Another quay crane is on order and will be delivered early next year.
With Berth 6, MICT now has an available quay line of 1,600m, which can accommodate five to seven container vessels at one time including the largest ships deployed in global trade lanes.
When the need arises, MICT’s available berthing facilities could be extended by a further 300m more, and dredged deeper from the existing depth of 13m to 14.5m. The MICT is flexibly designed to adjust to terminal expansion and could be extended to an additional seventh berth to facilitate increasing volumes in the Port of Manila. Total terminal area is at 75.4 hectares.