NorthPort, the Philippines’ leading domestic gateway operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), is enhancing its operational capabilities with the acquisition of two Konecranes Gottwald ESP 5 mobile harbour cranes (MHCs).
The cranes are part of a broader programme to modernise cargo handling, support growing domestic trade, and ensure reliable service for shipping lines, logistics partners, and cargo owners.
The ESP 5 MHCs provide a 41-tonne lifting capacity and 46-metre outreach across 13 bays.
They will be deployed at Pier 10 to strengthen Terminal 2’s future-readiness, operating alongside the eight quay cranes currently serving Terminal 1.
The additional capacity will allow NorthPort to handle more vessels simultaneously, increasing quayside productivity and optimising berth utilisation.
READ: Northport handles 3.32 million TEUs in November
Justin Tolentino, NorthPort General Manager, said: “As trade volumes surge, we remain focused on solutions that enhance efficiency and strengthen operational reliability.
“This latest equipment acquisition reflects our commitment to staying ahead of our customers’ needs. These new cranes will help ensure service levels meet the expectations of shipping lines, cargo owners, and logistics partners.”
The cranes arrived on 19 November and will undergo final testing before full commercial operations in December.
NorthPort has also ordered four hybrid Mitsui rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2026.
READ: Northport handles 3.32 million TEUs in November
These hybrid RTGs reduce diesel consumption and maintenance requirements, with existing units already cutting carbon emissions by 49 per cent, from 2,186 tonnes to an estimated 1,109 tonnes annually.
With enhanced lifting capacity and improved quayside efficiency, NorthPort is positioned to better support domestic trade flows while strengthening operational synergies across other ICTSI terminals at the Port of Manila, in line with its sustainability roadmap and global green port standards.
For more information:
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) – https://www.ictsi.com/
Konecranes – https://www.konecranes.com/en-gb
