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Philippine operator takes temporary charge, mobilises PhP200 million of cargo handling equipment
International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has been called upon by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to take temporary charge of Tacloban Port to revitalise the port’s facilities and oversee the mass delivery of humanitarian aid from across the globe to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
“We have been closely working round-the-clock with the Department of Transportation and Telecommunication (DOTC) and the PPA to get this project running at the quickest time possible,” said Christian R. Gonzalez, head of ICTSI’s Asian Region.
“We have dispatched our equipment, which should arrive in Tacloban by Tuesday. By then, the port will be fully operational.”
ICTSI is deploying various cargo handling equipment, valued at over PhP200 million, including a brand new mobile harbor crane already being commissioned in Davao for possible deployment to Leyte if required. Furthermore, as part of a donation to the typhoon victims, Dutch-based spreader manufacturer Stinis has added two more back up spreaders to ensure the smooth and continuous operation.
Moreover, a start up team composed of topnotch engineers, operations managers and staff, equipment operators from the Manila International Container Terminal, ICTSI's flagship, have also been dispatched to support port operation.
Gonzalez added that ICTSI will run the Tacloban port free, and will continue to do so up until the close of the government’s relief operations and normal transportation network has been restored.
ICTSI is also extending aid to employees who have relatives affected by typhoon.
