International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) has sealed a US$22 million deal for the deployment of 16 hybrid rubber tired gantries (RTG) for its Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) in the Philippines.
The equipment purchase is part of ICTSI’s US$80 million capital equipment program for its flagship terminal.
Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI Senior Vice President and Head of Asia-Pacific and MICT, stated that the new RTGs, the first of their kind in the Philippine ports system, will not only boost operations, but will further enhance ICTSI's HSSE group-wide program that aims to create and maintain safe working environments for both ICTSI employees and clients.
Gonzalez said: “The new RTGs will improve terminal efficiency and allow us to match demand in terms of operational performance.
“Terminal utilization currently remains exceptional, and we see no signs of congestion despite the volume influx.
“Just as important is that we can expect a minimum 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions and up to 60 percent better fuel economy.
“A side benefit is that the smaller engines mean reduced noise levels at the yard.”
The MES hybrid uses diesel fuel-saving technology that combines 200kVA Li-ion batteries and a smaller diesel engine, resulting in lower carbon emissions and better fuel efficiency.
Manufactured by Japanese shipbuilder and equipment maker Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (MES), the Mitsui Li-ion Hybrid RTG can stack one over five containers high and six containers wide, including truck roadway.
It has a rated load of 40 metric tons.
Jupiter Kalambakal, Public Relations Manager, International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), has written a new technical paper in the latest edition of the PTI Journal, Mega-Ports & Mega-Terminals, in which he has detailed exactly how MICT has been able to achieve its record growth
The first batch is scheduled for delivery in November next year, with the remaining eight to be turned over by October 2019.
ICTSI is also set to commission five additional quay cranes by 2019, which includes a pair of neo-Panamax cranes.
Upon completion, MICT will become the only terminal in the Philippines capable of servicing neo-Panamax boxships with capacities of up to 13,000 TEUs.
Last December, MICT achieved a milestone with its first year-to-date two millionth TEU move. This triggered a multi-billion peso capacity improvement commitment with the Philippine Ports Authority, requiring ICTSI to commission additional equipment and construct at least another berth by 2019.
Gonzalez added: “We are preparing for the era of super-sized ships.
“All the development we have in the pipeline will ensure MICT, the country’s premier container terminal, will be able to cope with the pressing demand and volume increase.”
