ICTSI planning build of seventh berth at flagship Manilla container terminal

28 Jun 2012 - Port Planning

The Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), Manila, the Phillipines. Image: ICTSI

President Aquino was on hand when MICT's Berth 6 was inaugurated yesterday. Image: ICTSI

• ICTSI planning build of seventh berth at MICT

International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) has announced that it is planning to build a seventh berth at its flagship Manila container terminal just days after the completion of the facility’s Berth 6.

According to Christian R. Gonzales, ICTSI vice-president and general-manager of the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), the terminal operator has already started the piling for Berth 7 in preparation for if and when it is needed.

“If we continue growing at 6 percent a year, most likely it will be operational by 2016 and 2017, but of course there are other factors to consider, like the expanded growth of the economy because of the government’s participation in trade,” Gonzales told Business World.

Gonzalez added that the initial reclamation works, which have already started, are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

“The actual operation will be based on the demand, volume growth and obviously, the robustness of the economy,” he said.

“The key here is to be ready to do it as soon as possible.”

According to Gonzalez, the size of Berth 7 is expected to be similar in size to that of Berth 6, which is capable of accommodating seven vessels simultaneously.

MICT’s Berth 6 was officially inaugurated yesterday by Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III. When fully operational from July 5th, the berth will increase MICT’s container capacity from 1.9 million TEU to 2.5 million TEU.