MANILA, Philippines — The Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), the country’s sole dedicated container handling facility and flagship of International Container Terminal Services Inc. ( ICTSI), saw record high monthly volume in October with 275,028 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled during the month.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said MICT’s milestone, which includes an all-time high of 147,935 TEUs in imports, was driven by recent growth in foreign trade.
The PPA also attributed the accomplishment to ICTSI’s continued investments in infrastructure and equipment.
Recent upgrades at MICT include replacing two old quay cranes at Berths 3 and 4 as well as increasing the number of quay cranes at Berth 6 to six from five to six.
The investment in larger and more advanced cranes is seen to enhance the terminal’s ability to accommodate larger container vessels and meeting the growing market demand.
ICTSI is likewise developing Berth 8, which is projected to boost MICT’s annual capacity to 3.5 million TEUs by 2027.
“These upgrades ensure our terminals are ready to handle not only the seasonal surge but also the long-term growth in trade,” PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said.
Santiago also lauded ICTSI for its proactive measures in managing seasonal demand, noting that October’s yard utilization at MICT remained stable at 77 percent, with gross crane productivity averaging 26 moves per hour.
The PPA enforces a three- to five-day dwell time for containers to prevent artificial congestion and promote timely removal to maintain optimal flow.
“Ports are designed to move goods efficiently – not serve as storage,” Santiago said.
The PPA said that further reducing congestion risks is the faster truck serving times at MICT, which is a result from infrastructure and technology improvements at the terminals gates.
These improvements combined with coordination with local authorities of surrounding municipalities have helped streamline cargo movement in and out of the port, especially during high-demand periods, according to the PPA.
The PPA likewise cited the role of public-private partnerships with major terminal operators in sustaining smooth operations.
It said ICTSI’s management of MICT, NorthPort Terminal and Manila Multipurpose Terminal, alongside Asian Terminals Inc. at the South Harbor Terminal, has improved Manila’s port efficiency through automation, real-time tracking and infrastructure upgrades.
Santiago said port efficiency is particularly critical during the holiday season when cargo volumes surge.
Port users are also urged to schedule activities during off-peak hours to support uninterrupted operations throughout the busy season.
“With modern infrastructure and close collaboration among stakeholders, our port system is resilient and efficient, prepared to support the economy during the peak season and beyond,” Santiago said.