MICT reaches 2 million TEU moves
MODERNIZATION efforts pushed efficiency and utilization levels at Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) to a “milestone year” in 2016, the Razon-led port operator said in a statement on Monday.
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) said the Philippines’ largest container terminal reached its first year-to-date two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) move last December. The container was offloaded from SITC Osaka, operated by China’s SITC Container Lines. MICT reached its first one million-TEU move in December 2002. It has an annual capacity of 2.75 million TEUs.
Terminal utilization at the MICT has significantly improved since the completion of Yard 7 late in November 2015. Yard 7, which is part of MICT’s P5-billion expansion project, increased the terminal’s capacity by 18% from 2.5 million to 2.75 million TEUs, the company said. ICTSI said the new milestone triggered a multi-billion peso capacity improvement commitment with the Philippine Ports Authority, requiring the port giant to commission five additional post-Panamax quay cranes along with corresponding yard equipment, and build at least another berth by 2019.
Also key to achieving the two million TEU record was the rollout of the Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS), an online container booking platform which significantly improved and optimized the flow of trucks in and out of the terminal.
“The construction of Yard 7 and the implementation of TABS last year gave us the flexibility and efficiency we need to perform optimally. We have more projects in the pipeline like the revival of the rail line which will link MICT with Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal,” ICTSI Senior Vice-President and Regional Head of Asia Pacific Christian R. Gonzalez was quoted as saying.
Aside from setting up an intermodal link between its Manila and Laguna terminals, the listed port operator also submitted to the government a proposal to build a $ 30- million common- user barge and roll