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International Container Terminal Services, Inc’s upcoming $800-million South Luzon Container Terminal (SLCT) in Bauan, Batangas is designed to meet future cargo demand, with its initial phase set to open by 2028
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An 18-meter water depth and a dedicated four-lane highway to the gate aim to handle the largest ships and cut truck delays
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ICTSI will also fully launch Navigate, a mobile app giving truckers, forwarders and shippers real-time cargo visibility, within three months
International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is designing and building its upcoming South Luzon Container Terminal (SLCT) in Bauan, Batangas with enough capacity to meet future cargo demand. That demand is expected to grow with the Luzon Economic Corridor and development in the surrounding area.
ICTSI Vice President for the Philippines Portfolio Philip Marsham, speaking at at PASIAWorld 2026 on October 8, 2026 on “ICTSI’s Role in Future-Proofing the Philippines’ Supply Chain,” said the investment follows the company’s strategy of building capacity before demand arrives, instead of reacting after congestion sets in.
US$800 million for second-largest PH container terminal
The listed port operator is spending US$800 million on SLCT and is targeting operations for the initial phase by 2028.
READ: ICTSI eyes South Luzon Container Terminal operations by 2028
The site now operates as Bauan International Port, which mainly handles roll-on/roll-off cargo of completely built-up units. Once finished, SLCT will be the second-largest container terminal in the Philippines.
Marsham said the terminal is designed to last 50 years. Its 18-meter water depth will allow it to serve some of the world’s largest container ships and some of the largest gantry cranes.
The project includes a dedicated four-lane highway leading straight to the terminal gate. Marsham said this is meant to keep trucks from getting stuck on surrounding streets.
“This is going to make the resilience to the supply chain so much better,” he said. “You’re guaranteed to get in there, drive in, drive out, no delays.”
Marsham described ICTSI as the world’s largest independent container terminal operator, with no ties to any government or shipping line. It runs 34 terminals in 19 countries.
In the Philippines, ICTSI operates the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), its global flagship; Manila’s North Harbor and general cargo/multipurpose terminals; a terminal in Subic; an inland terminal in Laguna; and the Mindanao Container Terminal in Northern Mindanao.
At MICT, the company is adding about 300 meters of new berth space and three more cranes to handle bigger vessels.
READ: ICTSI secures 25-year extension at MICT, locking in operations to 2063
At Subic, ICTSI is investing in new infrastructure and automation even though utilization is only around 60%, citing expected growth from nearby economic zones.
READ: ICTSI’s Subic unit outlines major port upgrades through 2032
Navigate digital platform launching soon
ICTSI is also preparing to fully launch Navigate, a new digital logistics platform, within the next three months. The system was pilot-tested at ICTSI’s Subic port operations.
Marsham said Navigate will let truckers, freight forwarders and shippers track cargo status in real time through a mobile app. “You can actually see exactly where everything is,” he said.
He added that ICTSI’s wider priorities include cutting greenhouse gas emissions, moving to hybrid equipment, and using artificial intelligence internally to improve operational decisions, while continuing to focus on customer experience. —Michael Barcas
