ATI spending P8B for expansion

MANILA, Philippines–Listed port operator Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) is spending P8 billion in three years to boost capacity and efficiency of its gateway ports in Batangas and Manila, a company statement showed.

ATI said the bulk of that spending would come in the next two years with the amount in 2015 to hit P2.8 billion and another P3.1 billion in 2016. It will spend P2.1 billion in 2017.

ATI said it had already deployed six empty container handlers last February and five additional rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) were scheduled for deployment  by the middle of the year. The move will support faster and safer operations at Manila South Harbor.

This will also complement ATI’s growing yard footprint, in time for the completion of more container storage areas within the Manila South Harbor expanded port zone soon.

Port technology will also figure strongly as ATI shifts its automation programs into higher gear, the statement showed.

This will support the continuous upgrade of its terminal and resource management systems at Manila South Harbor and its much awaited Vehicle Booking System (VBS) which will become online toward the latter part of the year.

ATI’s comprehensive VBS will further improve the operating environment for truckers in the long term. Like airline booking systems, the VBS will speed up port processes as this will align demand and capacity on a 24-hour basis without causing heavy traffic in Metro Manila.

Moreover, ATI will continue its equipment buildup at Batangas Port as it positions Southern Luzon’s best alternative gateway port to deliver more comprehensive and competitive port solutions to the major industries and customers in the region.–Miguel R. Camus