MANILA's International Container Terminal (MICT), a part of International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) portfolio of global ports, has received three new cranes to enable it to handle ships of up to 14,000 TEU
MANILA's International Container Terminal (MICT), a part of International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) portfolio of global ports, has received three new cranes to enable it to handle ships of up to 14,000 TEU. The delivery comprises a pair of neo-panamax quay cranes and a post-panamax quay crane manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co (ZPMC). The quay cranes are part of ICTSI's US$80 million capital equipment programme for MICT. The pair of neopanamax cranes and the post-panamax crane will be positioned at berths six and five, respectively.
'We are now ready for the era of super-sized ships. With the arrival of the neopanamax cranes, MICT is ready to address the pressing demand and volume increase by servicing larger vessels,' said ICTSI global corporate chief Christian Gonzalez, reported Manila?s Business Mirror.
Upon full commissioning, MICT customers can expect quayside productivity gains, translating to shorter port stays.
'The new cranes, along with other planned improvements at the MICT, will further boost the port's already efficient turnaround times. This will bring economic benefits for the entire Philippine supply chain,' Mr Gonzalez said.
With the new acquisitions, the MICT now has a total of 16 quay cranes, the largest fleet in the country.
In December 2016 MICT reached its first year-to-date two million TEU move, triggering a multibillion peso capacity improvement commitment with the Philippine Ports Authority in line with the growing consolidation trend among major shipping lines and the advent of mega ships.
'By investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment, we are strengthening MICT's position as one of the best-equipped and most technologically advanced terminals serving the intra-Asia trade,' said Mr Gonzales.
In 2019 the terminal will take delivery of two more quay cranes.
ICTSI has several other projects in the pipeline for its Philippine operations, including the revival of the rail link between MICT and the Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal in Calamba.
The Cavite Gateway Terminal, the country's first dedicated container barge terminal located in Tanza, Cavite, is scheduled to begin operations by the third week of June.
