International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) emphasised that an 8^th berth for MICT is “beyond” its contractual commitments to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).”

“To be constructed in phases, Berth 8 will greatly add to MICT’s capability to service foreign ultra container vessels of up to 18,000 TEUs, a trend that has been growing in the past years. The new berth will create another 400 meters of quay along with 12 hectares of yard space that will bring an additional annual capacity of 200,000 TEUs.  When completed, the MICT will have an annual capacity of 3.5 million TEUs, making theMICT the Philippines’ largest international gateway.  The full build will give MICT a total berth length of 2,300 meters, a 21 percent increase in berthing capacity,” ICTSI said. 

“We are excited to announce the development of Berth 8, which enables us to be in the same league as the world’s top terminals,” said ICTSI Executive Vice President Christian R. Gonzalez. “More importantly, this will bring significant economic benefits to the Philippines as we have the added capacity to handle growing trade volumes. We thank the DoTr and the PPA for supporting our initiatives and sharing our vision for a vibrant Philippine port and logistics industry that will translate to the overall prosperity of the country.”

Including equipment, Berth 8 is estimated to cost P15 billion (approximately US$267M). Berth 8 will be equipped with “a minimum” of four STS cranes, the first two of which are set to arrive in 2025. In addition, ICTSI is taking delivery of one new STS crane in July 2023 which will serve berths 6 and 7. These berths are capable of handling neopanamax vessels, and are currently served by five STS cranes.

“Since taking over MICT in 1988, ICTSI has remitted in excess of Php96 billion to the government through the PPA.  Over the same period, ICTSI has remitted to its host government – the City of Manila – over P3 billion in taxes. The company has invested in excess of P40 billion to modernise the MICT, handling over 47 million TEUs since 1988.  

“Aside from the construction of Berth 8, ICTSI has commenced the modernisation of Berths 1 to 5 and their backup and yard areas. The project includes the installation of additional reefer racks to accommodate approximately 300 TEUs of reefer cargo,” ICTSI concluded.

The ground-breaking ceremony for Berth 8 headed by Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista (fourth from left), Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago (fifth from left), and ICTSI Executive Vice President Christian R. Gonzalez (third from left) against the backdrop of a completed Berth 8.  They were joined by (from left):  DOTr Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Atty. Reinier Paul Yebra; MICT executive director Phillip Marsham; and DOTr Undersecretary for Maritime Elmer Francisco Sarmiento.