International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has secured a 25-year extension for its subsidiary, Mindanao International Container Terminal Services Inc. (MICTSI), to operate the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) in Misamis Oriental.
The company plans to invest US$100 million to boost capacity at its terminal in Misamis Oriental, responding to the projected rise in cargo shipments.
ICTSI disclosed that the Phividec Industrial Authority had approved the concession extension for MICTSI. The agreement allows the company to operate the port until 2058.
ICTSI plans to add a 300-meter berth, build more support infrastructure, and acquire additional port equipment to increase the terminal’s current capacity of 350,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).
“The new berth will enable the shipping industry to deploy larger ships on new service routes to support growth and demand from Mindanao’s importers and exporters,” ICTSI said.
Since 2008, the 24-hectare terminal, which includes an 11-hectare container yard, has served as a key transshipment hub for northern Mindanao.
Last September, MICTSI welcomed SITC Container Lines’ inaugural China-Philippines service, connecting Shanghai, Wenzhou, Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. This route supports the export of fresh produce, such as pineapples and bananas, from Bukidnon.
ICTSI expands domestic operations
ICTSI continues to grow its presence in the Philippines. Nine months after securing a 25-year contract to operate the Visayas Container Terminal (VCT) in April, the company began rehabilitating the facility.
The P10.53-billion (US$182.19 million) project includes upgrading VCT’s 627-meter quay and 20 hectares of land used for cargo storage, warehousing, and other activities.
The company also plans to launch a major project in Bauan, Batangas, in 2024. This US$800-million seaport will handle over two million TEUs annually and feature 900 meters of quay and at least eight ship-to-shore gantry cranes. ICTSI targets the completion of the first berth by the end of 2027.
These developments align with the Philippine Ports Authority’s forecast of an eight percent increase in cargo volume next year, fueled by the country’s economic recovery.
Expanding in Indonesia
ICTSI is also expanding international operations. The company has recently received its first container call in East Java, demonstrating the capability of the Indonesian terminal to handle various types of vessels.
On December 14, its East Java Multipurpose Terminal (EJMT) in Indonesia welcomed the first container ship. Glass maker XinYi Glass initiated this milestone call to transport cargo for a new factory in Gresik.
“Having handled our first container call (and) multiple project vessels, we have demonstrated our capability as a full multipurpose terminal that can accommodate all types of cargo. We are ready to support East Java,” said EJMT CEO Patrick Chan.
Since acquiring a majority stake in PT East Java Development for US$46.5 million in 2022, ICTSI has upgraded the terminal’s capabilities. EJMT now features two mobile harbor cranes, bulk cargo handling equipment, and specialized tools for containerized cargo.
Situated 60 kilometers northwest of Surabaya, EJMT provides convenient access to vessels entering East Java through the Java Sea. The terminal supports the economies of Lamongan, Tuban, and Central Java by handling containerized, breakbulk, and project cargo.
As one of the largest port operators globally, ICTSI continues to expand its presence across six continents, with projects ranging from 50,000 to 3.5 million TEUs per year. The company’s growth strategy reflects a commitment to meeting the increasing demand for efficient port services worldwide.
Photo credit: International Container Terminal Services Inc. Signing ceremony for 25-year extension of Mindanao Container Terminal.
