International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) has successfully wrapped up a berth expansion project at Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).
According to ICTSI, this project will effectively raise the MICT’s annual capacity to over 3.3 million TEUs.
The project included a number of crucial works, foremost of which is the berth expansion that adds another 150 meters to Berth 7, creating a 600-meter contiguous berth together with the adjacent Berth 6 to accommodate over 8,000-TEU capacity vessels.
The two berths currently have five quay cranes, with a design for up to six quay cranes.
The berth expansion is complemented by the extension of the container yard by about another 5.5 hectares – three hectares designated for laden containers and 2.5 hectares for empties. This redounds to added capacity for the terminal of an estimated 200,000 TEUs for laden containers and 150,000 TEUs for empties.
Commenting the latest news, Christian R. Gonzalez , ICTSI executive vice president, said: “The added berthing capability and yard space will enable the country to easily handle added volume that is expected as the country gears up for an economic reboot following last year’s trade flow facilitation complications. Moreover, this will enable us to continue performing our tasks as frontliners to move critical goods that are still badly needed.”
The additional berth space was completed on time and on budget despite some limitations caused by the pandemic, said ICTSI.
Meanwhile, the MICT is also refurbishing Berths 1 to 5 and their back up areas in preparation for the next 25 years of operation. These include the installation of an additional 450 reefer plugs for 40 footers expected to be operational by April this year, refurbishment of Berths 1 to 4 by September this year, and the upgrade of the yard infrastructure of Berths 1 to 5 by the end of 2022.