MANILA's International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) celebrated its 25th anniversary with its flagship, the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), marking the occasion with the handling of 25 million TEU.
"Through these 25 years, we have worked very hard and invested heavily to raise levels of efficiency in every aspect of our operation and administration," says ICTSI Asian region chief Christian Gonzalez
"We've invested non-stop in port structure, top of the line equipment, leading edge technology, and manpower development to ensure that MICT stays on top of the heap. I'd like to think that we've done our homework well because MICT today is a truly world class terminal at par, even above par with the world's top ports," he continued.
Mr Gonzalez looked back on the early years of MICT, its growth years, peaks and troughs, and where it is today. Back in 1988, the dust had barely settled after the People Power revolution. The Philippines was rebuilding a democracy, reforming institutions, and re-crafting the nation's charter.
ICTSI was established in 1987, initially for the purpose of bidding for the 25+25 MICT concession. The company beat other international and local bidders to win the concession in May 1988.
After taking over MICT in June of the same year, ICTSI quickly buckled down to re-develop the terminal. Back then MICT was an underdeveloped terminal with two dilapidated quay cranes projected to have a fully developed annual capacity of 450,000 TEU. Now, it has added two berths and has the country's longest quay line, and is mulling construction of another one.
MICT's double digit volume growth since 1989 was disrupted only as a result of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Stringent housekeeping and financial prudence kept MICT above water until the global economy, including that of the Philippines, began to see signs of recovery.
"With the Philippine economy growing at a record phase of 7.5 per cent as of the second quarter, the MICT is more than ready to handle the country's growing trade. From the beginning and until now, we continue to take this role seriously, and we will continue the hard work to continually improve," Mr Gonzalez said.
A quarter of a century later, MICT has an annual capacity of 2.5 million TEU, the country's largest. MICT is the group's benchmark for its other 26 terminals abroad.
PORTS
13 September 2013 - 22:40
Manila's ICTSI celebrates 25th birthday having handled 25 million TEU
MANILA's International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) celebrated its 25th anniversary with its flagship, the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), marking the occasion with the handling of 25 million TEU.
PORTS
13 September 2013 - 22:40
Manila's ICTSI celebrates 25th birthday having handled 25 million TEU
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