International Container Terminal Service Inc. (ICTSI) said that its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) has handled its 50 millionth twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU).
MICT unloaded the 50 millionth TEU container from MV Seabreeze, operated by Ocean Network Express (ONE). The shipment is owned by HRD Singapore PTE Ltd.
“Leveraging cutting-edge technology, MICT has been at the forefront of innovation within the Philippine port industry since starting operations at the Port of Manila in 1988,” ICTSI said.
The company is currently upgrading the facilities of MICT with ICTSI adding another berth to the port terminal since last year.
ICTSI said it is spending P15 billion for the expansion which will be the eighth berth in MICT
The new berth, Berth 8, is beyond ICTSI’s contractual commitments to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
It will increase MICT’s capability to service foreign ultra container vessels of up to 18,000 TEUs, a growing trend. The new berth will create another 400 meters of quay along with 12 hectares of yard space, adding 200,000 TEU in annual capacity for the terminal.
When completed, the MICT will have an annual capacity of 3.5 million TEUs, making the MICT the Philippines’ largest international gateway, the company said.
The full build will give the MICT a total berth length of 2,300 meters, a 21 percent increase in berthing capacity.
MICT is currently capable of handling neo-Panamax ships through berths 6 and 7, which are operated by six quay cranes (QC).
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 also 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.
Since taking over the MICT in 1988, ICTSI has remitted in excess of P96 billion to the government through the PPA. Over the same period, ICTSI has remitted to its host government — the City of Manila — over P3 billion in taxes. “The company has invested in excess of P40 billion to modernize the MICT, handling over 47 million TEUs since 1988,” the company said last year.
