ICTSI opens cargo terminal in Cavite

A cargo barge terminal that will hasten the delivery of goods between Manila and Cavite and cut road congestion was inaugurated this week.

Built by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.’s International Container Terminal Services Inc., the project known as the Cavite Gateway Terminal provides an alternative water-based route that will slash about 140,000 truck trips yearly.

The inauguration was led by the Department of Transportation and Philippine Ports Authority in an event that was also attended by President Duterte.

Specifically, the Cavite Gateway Terminal will allow the trans-shipment of cargo from international ports in Manila to Cavite via barges and roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) operations. ICTSI controls the Manila International Container Terminal, one of two international ports in Manila.

The terminal is located in Tanza, Cavite, near the Cavite Export Processing Zone, which hosts 400-plus actively operating companies in the municipality of Rosario. It may also serve future processing zones in neighboring cities.

It has an annual capacity of 115,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), including a Ro-Ro wharf, storage for dry laden and empty containers, project cargo, and ISO tanks. The facility will also offer Ro-Ro barge berthing, container storage/yard leasing, empty container maintenance and repair: dry and reefer, container weighing, and other container related services.

“All services are backed by a state-of-the-art logistics hub on 24/7 systems-based operation and a one-stop logistics shop for reefers dry cargo,” the DOTr said in a statement.

Once operational, the facility is expected to result in 140,000 fewer truck trips yearly, reducing road traffic by almost two kilometers of trucks a day.

Construction of the CGT began in October 2017 and was completed in about a year. In anticipation of its inauguration, barge operations have already started earlier in September via dry run in preparation for full operations.