Batangas Port aims another record cargo volume in 2016

Batangas Container Terminal (BCT), operated by listed Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI), expects another record performance this year after handling over 85,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargoes in the first seven months of the year.

In a statement, BCT said the January-July performance has set them on course to yet another record performance after handling over 130,000 TEUs in 2015. BCT, however, did not give comparative figure for January-July, 2015.

The report has steadily sustained its role as a key trade enabler outside Metro Manila, keeping vital goods flowing for major industries in south Luzon and supporting government efforts in spreading economic activity outside the National Capital Region.

ATI attributed BCT’s solid volume growth to its expanding list of customers in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) led by Japanese electronics giants, food and beverage conglomerates, retailers, agri-exporters and leading car manufacturers, all taking advan- tage of a comprehensive and competitive international gateway port within their reach.

BCT is conveniently accessible 24/7 to industrial zones 10- to 50-km away through modern highways and seamless road infrastructure. Ample third-party truckers, duly accredited by the local government units, also offer reliable services at competitive rates.

According to BCT, seven freight services call Batangas weekly, while another docks fortnightly, providing shippers a direct and fast link to Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other global trade hubs.

Aside from proximity and connectivity, efficient services are delivered by Calabarzon’s preferred trade gateway as backed by modern port systems and streamlined processes.

To recall, BCT upgraded to Navis Sparcs in 2014, the same system which powers the biggest marine terminals in the world. This resulted in greater port efficiency and productivity, bannered by BCT’s record production of 30 gross moves per crane per hour (GMPH) in July, 2015, which puts it up to par with world class container hubs like Singapore and Hongkong.

GMPH is a measure of how many boxes cranes move from ship to shore in an hour. The efficient handling of vessels at berth results in faster ship turnaround and quicker deliver of cargoes to consignees. Thus far, BCT’s production is over 28 GMPH, or more than the industry’s 25 GMPH average, with several months equalling its production best of 30 GMPH.

Fast Bureau of Customs (BOC) processing is likewise assured by BOC-Batangas, which follows global standards on quality service. BOC Batangas is the only unit in the entire Bureau which has obtained the ISO 9001:2008 certification for Quality Management. Philippine Export Zone Authority and the Philippine Ports Authority also provide a supportive business environment.

With all these in place, BCT said shippers are able to pick-up and deliver boxes in BCT within 30 minutes of truck entry.

In support of future growth, ATI has begun BCT’s expansion starting with the extension of its quay length and crane rails to reach 600 meters as it readies the port for the deployment of two additional Quay Cranes (QCs) and four additional Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes, and other complementary port facilities and equipment, by 2017.