International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has acquired 16 hybrid rubber-tired gantries (RTG) worth $22 million for deployment at its Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) starting next year.
The first batch is scheduled for delivery in November 2018, with the remaining eight to be turned over by October 2019.
The equipment purchase is part of ICTSI’s $80-million capital equipment program for its flagship terminal, MICT, the global port operator said in a statement.
ICTSI senior vice president and head of Asia-Pacific and MICT Christian Gonzalez said the new RTGs, the first of their kind in the Philippine ports system, will not only boost operations, they will also further enhance ICTSI’s group-wide health, safety, security, and environment program to create and maintain safe work environments for both ICTSI employees and clients.
Gonzalez explained: “The new RTGs will improve terminal efficiency and allow us to match demand in terms of operational performance. Terminal utilization currently remains exceptional, and we see no signs of congestion despite the volume influx.”
“Just as important is that we can expect a minimum 40% reduction in carbon emissions and up to 60% better fuel economy. A side benefit is that the smaller engines mean reduced noise levels at the yard,” he added.
Manufactured by Japanese shipbuilder and equipment maker Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. (MES), the Mitsui Li-ion Hybrid RTG can stack one over five containers high and six containers wide, including truck roadway. It has a rated load of 40 metric tons.
The MES hybrid uses diesel fuel-saving technology that combines 200kVA Li-ion batteries and a smaller diesel engine, resulting in lower carbon emissions and better fuel efficiency.
ICTSI is also set to commission five additional quay cranes by 2019, which include a pair of neo-Panamax cranes. Once the quay cranes are delivered, ICTSI said MICT will become the only terminal in the Philippines capable of servicing neo-Panamax boxships with capacities of up to 13,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
“We are preparing for the era of super-sized ships. All the development we have in the pipeline will ensure MICT, the country’s premier container terminal, will be able to cope with the pressing demand and volume increase,” Gonzalez said.
Last December, MICT achieved a milestone with its first year-to-date two millionth TEU move. This triggered a multi-billion peso capacity improvement commitment with the Philippine Ports Authority, requiring ICTSI to commission additional equipment and construct at least another berth by 2019.
