By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
On the heels of its inauguration, the Cavite Gateway Terminal (CGT) aims to address the perennial problem of port and road congestion in Metro Manila. As the Philippines’ first container barge terminal, it is expected to result in 140,000 fewer truck trips per year.
Located in Tanza, Cavite, the terminal represents a P1.5-billion public-private partnership between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and listed port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI).
President Rodrigo Duterte inaugurated the port last month, as it began operations. Port construction started July 5, 2017 and it was designed and built by CHEC Construction (Phils.) Corp.
In terms of design, the CGT blends functionality with innovation. It features a wharf head structure and road connection leading to an onshore container storage facility with a gross area of approximately 4 hectares. The facility is powered by a state-of-the-art logistics hub, which allows for 24/7 operations.
“This is a first of its kind facility in the country,” said Jianhua Ma, Southern Pacific Division Director of CHEC. “It will help in port logistics for the entire archipelago, and promote inter-regional trade and development.”
The new barge terminal will facilitate the sea transportation by barge of cargo between the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and CGT via a roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) operation with containers loaded onto trucks and reversed onto barges at MICT and driven off at CGT and vice versa.
The CGT has an annual capacity of 115,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), including a Ro-Ro wharf, storage for dry laden and empty containers, project cargo, and ISO tanks. The facility will also offer Ro-Ro barge berthing, container storage/yard leasing, empty container maintenance and repair: dry and reefer, container weighing, and other container related services.
The Philippines’ first and only barge port is expected to shorten ship waiting times, and improve work efficiency of loading and unloading goods. The barge terminal also creates job opportunities for the people of Cavite, as well as promotes local economic development.