International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has gained regulatory authority to manage and expand the Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), the international seaport in Iloilo City, central Philippines.
ICTSI received a Notice to Proceed on 15 April to operate Iloilo’s international seaport, following a review by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).
The company will reportedly invest in terminal infrastructure development and restoration, as well as the deployment of cargo-handling equipment, to increase terminal productivity and quality of service.
Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI Executive Vice President, said: “The VCT is poised to become a catalyst for Iloilo’s economic and social growth.
“We’re thrilled to begin operations and transform the Iloilo Port into a world-class gateway for the Central Philippines. Our significant investments in modern infrastructure, cargo-handling equipment, and operational efficiency will drive this transformation.”
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VCT serves as a critical gateway for the province of Iloilo, Panay Island, and the Western Visayas area. While the seaport is critical to regional trade, capacity and efficiency limits have restricted its potential.
ICTSI’s cooperation seeks to change the port by overcoming these obstacles and realising its economic potential.
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The port will be managed solely to service international vessels and cargoes, with a provision for local vessels and cargoes for the first five years.
The seaport reportedly handles 100,000 TEU and 2 million metric tonnes of non-containerised freight each year.
According to ICTSI, it has an active quay length of 627 metres and 20 hectares of land dedicated to container and general cargo storage, warehousing, and other cargo-handling operations.
