The International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) would invest a "substantial part" of the group’s 2022 budget in upgrades for flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) to serve the world’s larger box ships, increase volumes and become environmentally sustainable.
Right now, ICTSI is fast-tracking the second phase development of MICT’s Berths 7 and 8 to add full back-up areas for future Berths 9 and 10.
ICTSI is likewise refurbishing Berths 1 to 5 and their back up areas, including the installation of an additional 450 reefer plugs for 40 footers, and upgrading the yards of Berths 1 to 5.
For an eco-friendlier port operation, ICTSI is acquiring eight new hybrid rubber tired gantries to add to the 32 hybrid RTG fleet acquired starting 2018.
The new RTGs will further reduce emissions by 50 percent compared to previous RTGs.
ICTSI will also decommission MICT’s first quay crane this year and replace it with three new quay cranes capable of servicing larger vessels of over 12,500-TEU capacity.
Moving away from traditional halogen and sodium lamps, MICT recently completed upgrading the entire terminal, including its yard and crane lights, to more energy-efficient LED lighting systems.
Expected to eliminate light spills and glare while lowering energy consumption, the terminal expects to save around 1.8 million kWh/year and offset up to 1.09 million tons of carbon dioxide.
“With our strong focus on environmental stewardship, we understand how technological innovation goes hand in hand with our thrust to improve our ports’ air quality, energy consumption, and waste and water management," explained Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI executive vice president.
"In line with this, we continually invest in port infrastructure and facilities that enhance our operational efficiency while minimizing our environmental impact.”
The company's social responsibility arm, ICTSI Foundation, is pioneering environmental initiatives in a partnership with Finnish NGO RiverRecycle to pioneer sustainable river waste collection system for MICT’s immediate communities.
To address ballast water contamination from foreign ships, the Foundation and the Diliman Science Research Institute continue to test prototypes for the Foundation’s Water Ballast Treatment System Project.
Upon completion, this can easily be carried on and off large cargo vessels visiting MICT to decontaminate ballast water prior to release into the sea.
Over the long-term application, the device can be replicated and upscaled to help the Philippine Government comply with the International Maritime Organization regulations based on the Ballast Water Management Convention of 2004.
This mandates all signatory countries to establish their own ballast water treatment systems by 2028.
Despite disruptions affecting major hubs, yard utilization at ICTSI’s flagship continues to be manageable, according to data from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
As of PPA’s September 2021 Performance Report, MICT’s average yard utilization is at 63.02 percent.
ICTSI continues to fast-track the movement of overstaying import containers out of the port of Manila to improve on its utilization rate as more imports loom.
To improve the mobility of trucks inside the terminal, ICTSI put up an additional truck ingress, equipped with optical character recognition and additional automation last April.
The MICT also continues to work with the Bureau of Customs for the unimpeded and online release of cargo.