ICTSI fast-tracks Manila port expansion, shifts to greener facilities

Enrique Razon Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Billionaire Enrique Razon Jr.’s International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is accelerating investments at its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) amid the gradual recovery in global trade.

The company said on Thursday (Dec. 9) that the second-phase development of MICT’s berths 7 and 8 will add full back-up areas for future berths, or areas where vessels stay anchored.

“A substantial part of the ICTSI Group’s 2022 budget has been earmarked for these MICT upgrades that will further strengthen MICT’s capacity to effectively serve the world’s larger box ships and the increasing volume that comes with a recovering economy,” the company said.

ICTSI earlier pegged its full-year capital investment budget at $250 million, of which $104 million was deployed in the first nine months of the year.

The company said this would be used to expand MICT and facilities in ICTSI DR Congo in Democratic Republic of Congo and the Victoria International Container Terminal in Melbourne, Australia.

At the same time, the company was focusing on eco-friendlier port operations with the planned purchase of eight new hybrid rubber tired gantries (RTG) to add to the 32 hybrid RTG fleet acquired starting 2018.

These new RTGs will cut emissions by 50 percent compared to their predecessors.

ICTSI will also decommission MICT’s first quay crane this year, which will be replaced over the next three years by three new quay cranes, each one capable of servicing larger vessels or those with a capacity of over 12,500-twenty-foot equivalent units.

Yard and crane lights at the MICT were changed to more efficient LED lighting systems. This will eliminate light spills and glare while lowering energy consumption. ICTSI estimates this will save around 1.8 million kilowatt hours per year and offset up to 1.1 million tons of carbon dioxide.

“With our strong focus on environmental stewardship, we understand how technological innovation goes hand in hand with our thrust to improve our ports’ air quality, energy consumption, and waste and water management,” ICTSI executive vice president Christian Gonzalez said in the statement.

“In line with this, we continually invest in port infrastructure and facilities that enhance our operational efficiency while simultaneously helping minimize our environmental impact,” he added.

TSB