FAST-TRACK movement of overstaying import containers out of the Philippines port of Manila has resulted in the yard utilisation rate at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) falling below 58 per cent, a historically low level despite a string of holiday periods and low trucking activity
FAST-TRACK movement of overstaying import containers out of the Philippines port of Manila has resulted in the yard utilisation rate at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) falling below 58 per cent, a historically low level despite a string of holiday periods and low trucking activity. This follows the 70 per cent utilisation rate recorded in April, a decrease of 20 per cent from 90 per cent in January after private sector partners and the government signed a manifesto last March demanding the efficient utilisation of container terminals.
MICT that is owned by International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) achieved this decline in utilisation rate despite handling record high container volumes over a four-month period.
'The significant efforts in which both the private sector and the Bureau of Customs to release longer staying imports at the terminal has resulted in lower overall container dwell times allowing us to efficiently utilise the ample capacity to accelerate volume growth,' said ICTSI global corporate head Christian Gonzalez.
The port of Manila dealt with high utilisation rates at the end of 2018 owing to the longstanding problem of overstaying imports combined with a lack of external empty container capacity, which was further compounded by weather-related vessel delays, holiday peak season and the import-export imbalance, a company statement said.
In March, Subic Bay International Container Terminal (SBITC) opened a new container depot as part of the collective effort to improve the circulation of empty containers.
Last year, ICTSI launched its US$80 million capacity improvement project at MICT in anticipation of increasing demand and productivity requirements over the long term.
In the first development phase, ICTSI is building berths 7 and 8 to accommodate larger ships. A back up area will also be constructed for future berths 9 and 10, which will provide the terminal with the flexibility to deal with weather-related issues and amendments in regulations.
These infrastructure improvements will be complemented by additional port equipment, including the recently delivered pair of neo-Panamax quay cranes, three super post-Panamax quay cranes, 16 hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs). Eight more hybrid RTGs and a super post-Panamax quay crane are due for delivery by the third quarter.
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