MINDANAO Container Terminal (MCT) expects its direct callers to deploy bigger vessels this year in response to Mindanao’s vibrant business outlook.
MCT port department manager Dante Clarito told PortCalls the economy in Southern Philippines has been particularly resilient, recovering faster than expected from the global economic crisis.
“Our performance is really getting better and we are looking at eclipsing our performance last year by some 10-20%,” Clarito said.
“We are banking on the strong performance of our base clients such as Del Monte and Pilipinas Kao and our new clients from the woodcraft industry.”
Clarito noted the region’s banana exporters and raw material importers are also expected to raise their shipments, further boosting terminal activity.
As a result, he said, “MCT expects our direct callers to deploy larger vessels or increase their frequency this year, giving Philippine-based importers and exporters more cargo space.”
Container traffic at MCT soared 51% last year to 180,308 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from 118,687 TEUs in 2009. This compares with the target growth of only 10%.
Located at Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, MCT has five direct callers: APL, Mariana Express, Maersk Line, Regional Container Lines and Pacific Eagle Lines. The carriers maintain at least a weekly call. There have been instances though that calls went up to thrice a week.
Among the region’s exports are beauty soaps and cosmetics, construction materials such as cement and paints, banana, cacao, mango planting materials and other fruits seeds, and alcoholic beverages for consumption in hotels and restaurants.
Imports include construction materials such as tiles and roofs; virgin coconut oil, including essential oils; tuna; wood moldings; knock-down houses; yellow corn; copra; furniture; charcoals; and handicrafts.
Last year, MCT began handling agricultural products shipped to and from Brunei and North Sulawesi.
MCT is operated by Mindanao International Container Terminal Services, Inc, a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
