International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has announced a substantial investment of PHP15 billion (US$267 million) to undertake a major expansion project at its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).

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

To be constructed in phases, ICTSI said Berth 8 will greatly add to the MICT's capability to service foreign ultra container vessels of up to 18,000 TEUs, a trend that has been growing in the past years. 

Philippines' largest international gateway

The new berth will create another 400 meters of quay along with 12 hectares of yard space that will bring an additional annual capacity of 200,000 TEUs. 

ICTSI added that when completed, the MICT will have an annual capacity of 3.5 million TEUs, making the MICT the Philippines' largest international gateway. 

The full build will give the MICT a total berth length of 2,300 meters, a 21 percent increase in berthing capacity. 

"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 Christian R. Gonzales, executive vice president at ICTSI.

"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, as he led the groundbreaking for the new berth with Jaime Bautista, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, and Atty. Jay Daniel, general manager of the PPA.

ICTSI said along with equipment, Berth 8 is estimated to cost PHP15 billion (US$267 million).

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.

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

Aside from infrastructure developments, ICTSI continues to invest in technology to make MICT’s operations more efficient.