ICTSI to expand flagship MICT

International Container Terminal Services Inc. has secured the nod of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to undertake capacity improvements at its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).

With the approval, ICTSI said the first phase construction of berths 7 and 8 would begin on Oct. 15, while the second phase, which will add full back-up area for the future berths 9 and 10, is slated to start on Feb. 19 next year, pending final approvals.

ICTSI global corporate head Christian Gonzalez said the berth expansion, all with a controlling depth of 13.5 to 14.5 meters, would further strengthen MICT’s capacity to service the world’s larger box ships and the increasing volume that comes with them.

“On top of our commitments, the construction of these berths is our response to the need for an increase in capacity and increased productivity over the longer term. We also need to accommodate system changes, such as the steady increase in vessel size, the consolidation of major shipping players, and the introduction of rail services,” he said.

With the planned addition of yard space with the construction of the back-up area for berths 9 and 10, ICTSI said the terminal would have substantial flexibility to deal with the increasing impact of weather related issues and changes in the regulatory environment.

The firm said complementing the capacity improvements are the upcoming arrivals of 16 new rubber-tired gantries (RTG) in 2019, with the first eight RTGs available by April next year.

It added that two more super post Panamax quay cranes (QC) are expected to be delivered by next year, with three QCs delivered earlier in the year and are already operational.

ICTSI won the concession to operate the MICT in an international tender in 1988.

Since its takeover, MICT has increased its annual capacity five-fold, expanded its container handling fleet to make it the largest and most modern container terminal in the Philippines, and switched from a manual control system to an integrated real-time IT terminal control system.

ICTSI said the construction of berth 7 is part of its contractual obligations to upgrade, expand and develop the MICT under its contract with the PPA.

For 2018 alone, the ICTSI Group has allocated more than $380 million for capital expenditure, including the expansion of the MICT.