ICTSI scheme eases road jams
With this, one of the country’s top companies, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. benefited from inter-terminal transfer operation of NorthPort and MICT
Efficient and seamless port operations that will reduce the presence of trucks on the road to free up vehicle traffic, which, in turn, translates to less carbon emissions at the Port of Manila, are the benefits seen with the full operation of the inter-terminal cargo transfers between Manila North Harbor (NorthPort) and the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).
With this, one of the country’s top companies, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI) benefited from inter-terminal transfer (ITT) operation of NorthPort and MICT, as the shared efficiencies within The ICTSI Group enabled both terminals to facilitate cargo movement at the Port of Manila.
During its recent inauguration, ICTSI executive vice president Christian Gonzalez said
ICTSI is grateful for the opportunity to improve the service of one of the country’s largest and most admired companies.
Time, cost savings seen
“At the same time, we are excited to demonstrate the enhanced synergies and competencies to be had from inter-terminal cargo transfers, which we are sure will further affect time and cost savings for all parties,” he added.
Before its launch and full-swing operation of NorthPort facility, Coca-Cola’s sea shipments were transported directly from the Port of Manila to the beverage company’s plants.
With the ITT operations in place, shipments are transferred from container vans to trucks bound for Coca-Cola’s manufacturing facilities, then shipped back through the same mode and, at the Manila port hub, they are processed for domestic shipping to distributors in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, completing an efficient logistics cycle that also contributes to the reduction of container trucks on the road.
The NorthPort also offers Coca-Cola and CCBPI readily available container storage along with other allied port services.
Roads decongested
According to Gonzalez, employing ITT also benefits other stakeholders including the City of Manila, the commuting public, and the environment.
“Another favorable result of inter-terminal transfers is the reduction of truck trips from the Port of Manila to Sta. Rosa and back. Less truck on the road frees up traffic which, in turn, translates to fewer carbon emissions — an added benefit for multiple stakeholders. The conducive environment that the City of Manila provides is what enables entrepreneurship and business to thrive and become conjoined partners of the city,” said Gonzalez, who also thanked Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso for the city’s support.
The ICTSI Group enabled both terminals to facilitate cargo movement at the Port of Manila.
The mega Manila port hub is part of Coca-Cola’s $63 million investment in the Philippines for 2021, which will be used primarily to increase capacity in Luzon. Shipping an average of 6,000 containers across the country yearly, the company saw that establishing the port hub could further improve its operations.
“We source them from Sta. Rosa in the North and then we ship them to Visayas and Mindanao through Manila Bay. Therefore, we decided that this would be a wonderful time and a wonderful opportunity to launch this mega Manila hub for CCBPI,” said Gareth McGeown, CCBPI president and chief executive officer.