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International Container Terminals Services, Inc. and the Philippine Ports Authority on October 9 officially inaugurated the operation of two new mobile harbor cranes at Visayas Container Terminal in Iloilo
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The two new ESP.5 Konecranes Gottwald MHCs—the largest and first of their kind in the island of Panay—each have a maximum reach of 46 meters and top lifting capacity of 100 tons
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From April to August 2024, PPA said the terminal experienced a 16% year-on-year increase in foreign vessel calls and a 79% rise in foreign cargo throughput
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VCT handles various cargoes, including cement and grains from Vietnam, as well as general cargo from China
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on October 9 inaugurated two new mobile harbor cranes (MHC) at Visayas Container Terminal (VCT) in Iloilo.
PPA in a statement said the new state-of-the-art cranes are part of ICTSI’s comprehensive upgrades at VCT, in line with the 25-year concession agreement awarded by the PPA. ICTSI last January won the contract to operate and develop Iloilo Commercial Port Complex, which it renamed VCT. The terminal started commercial operations under ICTSI last April.
READ: PPA hands over Iloilo Commercial Port to Visayas Container Terminal
Earlier, ICTSI said the two new ESP.5 Konecranes Gottwald MHCs—the largest and first of their kind in the island of Panay—have a maximum reach of 46 meters and top lifting capacity of 100 tons each.
The port operator said these will enable VCT to handle the increasing volume of containerized, bulk, general and project cargo in Panay and Region 6. The introduction of these equipment class is also seen to streamline the terminal’s operation, resulting in faster turnaround times for vessels and trucks, as well as better overall port efficiency and safety.
“The primary goal is to elevate VCT into a world-class port capable of accommodating new-generation vessels and increasing overall cargo volume,” PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said.
Santiago expressed optimism that the new MHCs will significantly expedite the arrival and unloading of international cargo entering Panay island, a crucial step in establishing VCT as a gateway for international shipping trade not only for the province but for the entire Western Visayas region.
“This is our goal for the ports managed by the PPA: to create modern, sustainable, and resilient port infrastructure and facilities, as well as to provide services that meet the needs of the public and other stakeholders, ensuring that port operations adhere to global best practices. We also aim to establish a port regulatory environment conducive to national development,” Santiago added.
PPA said VCT handles various cargoes, including cement and grains from Vietnam, as well as general cargo from China.
From April to August 2024, PPA said the terminal experienced a 16% year-on-year increase in foreign vessel calls, and a 79% rise in foreign cargo throughput.
The terminal handles a foreign vessel on a weekly service from China to Iloilo, according to PPA. Foreign containerized vessels from Vietnam are also expected to commence operations in the coming months.
ICTSI earlier said other ongoing developments in VCT include dredging along the terminal’s berths to increase depth capacity in preparation for the arrival of larger ships; further rehabilitation of container yard; improvement of engineering facilities; and greening and development of multipurpose and recreation spaces for employees.
ICTSI said it continues to expedite facility upgrades, IT system implementation, and deployment of other modern cargo handling equipment at VCT.
Under the contract, VCT’s operations will exclusively serve foreign vessels and cargoes. For the first five years, domestic vessels and cargoes will still be catered to until the turnover to Fort San Pedro port. Fort San Pedro will then serve as the designated domestic terminal.
