International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) has secured approval from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to expand its flagship terminal in Manila.
Improvements to the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) will be carried out in two phases starting later this month and then February 2019.
The first phase involves the construction of berths 7 and 8, while the second phase, pending final approvals, will add full back up area for MICT’s future berths 9 and 10.
The berth expansion, all with a controlling depth of 13.5 to 14.5 meters, will further strengthen MICT’s capacity to service the world’s larger box ships, ICTSI said.
“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,” said ICTSI global corporate head Christian R Gonzalez
“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.”
Along with the berth expansion will be the addition of yard space with the construction of the back-up area for berths 9 and 10.
“When completed, this additional area will give the terminal substantial flexibility to deal with the increasing impact of weather related issues and changes in the regulatory environment,” ICTSI said.
The construction of berth 7 is part of ICTSI's 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 $380m for capital expenditure, including the expansion of the Manila flagship.
