Manila Harbor Center (MHC), the Manila's largest bulk and breakbulk handling port facility, will boost its cargo handling capacity by 100 percent with the construction of eco-friendly bulk cargo bays (BCB) and dredging berths to accommodate larger vessels.

MHC is adding three more BCBs, for a total of five, capable of storing 24,000 to 55,000 metric tons.

The expansion covers 6,650 square meters, enclosing cargoes inside seven-meter walls to minimize the spread of dust and lessen the environmental impact of bulk cargo operations.

“Compared to open storage that requires use of laminated sacks, BCBs require less cover as they minimize the surface area of the cargo exposed to weather elements," explained Jennifer Olaer-Salazar, MHC safety head.

"BCBs prevent cargo erosion with the help of drainage and roadways, resulting in minimal spills and a cleaner port environment,” she pointed out.

“We continue to keep the area surrounding the BCBs clean through road sprinkling, sweeping and tire baths to ensure that ambient air quality is below the acceptable limits.”

For dredging works, MHC tapped infrastructure company Prime Metro BMD to deepen the 865-meter berth in Terminals 1 and 2 and the 240-meter berth in Terminal 3.

Once dredging is completed, both terminals will have a design draft of 10.5 meters while Terminal 3 will have 8.7 meters.

“We are gearing up MHC to handle more trade as the country continues to recover from the pandemic and prepares to fully open the economy," according to Geraldine Santos, MHC commercial head.

The deepening of the berths will allow us to facilitate larger vessels and additional cargo, she noted.

The completion of three new bulk cargo bays more than doubles Manila Harbor Center’s bulk storage capacity from 24,000 metric tons to 55,000 metric tons and assists in mitigating any environmental impact of the terminal’s operation.

Located at the north wharf of the Manila Harbour Centre, the company operates a 10-hectare, 4.5-million metric ton capacity multipurpose terminal – the Manila Harbor Center – that caters to both international and domestic cargo.

MHCPSI started commercial operations in December 2020 under a permit to operate issued by the Philippine Ports Authority.