New regional service vessel docks in MICT

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) has expanded its coverage in Asia with the arrival of a container service traversing three Asian countries and three Philippine ports.

MICT recently welcomed the maiden call of the China-Philippines Feeder (CPF) service of German shipper Hapag-Lloyd at the Port of Manila.

The inaugural call in Manila was marked by the arrival of Hapag-Lloyd’s Tokyo Express, one of the ships assigned to the CPF service.

Hapag-Lloyd’s new feeder opens up trade opportunities for Philippine exporters and importers to access some of the largest markets in Asia. The service also provides them with a dedicated link to major transshipment hubs in the region.

Based on the route map, Hapag-Lloyd’s CPF service travels through the ports in Nansha, China; Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia; and Singapore. The feeder also calls in Batangas, Manila and Subic, before returning to Nansha.

Hapag-Lloyd is also deploying its vessel Seoul Express for the CPF service in support of Tokyo Express.

Hapag-Lloyd, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, is one of the biggest shipping companies in the world, with expertise in reefer cargo, dangerous goods and special cargo projects.

MICT is the flagship project of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and plays a critical role in facilitating the entry and exit of goods from Manila.

ICTSI is spending $580 million for capital expenditures this year. The company is investing part of the amount for expansion works in local terminals, including the MICT.

In particular, ICTSI is constructing Berth 8 for MICT that would bring in more in capacity once the project is completed in 2027. Last February, MICT received eight units of hybrid rubber-tired gantries that ICTSI purchased for its asset expansion.

MICT is the biggest operator of container-handling fleet in the Philippines – owning 18 quay cranes and 52 rubber-tired gantries – supporting its role as one of the country’s premier gateways for international trade.

ICTSI has the capacity to make further investments in its projects after booking a free cash flow of $1.08 billion in 2024, backed by $849.8 million in profit.