Asian Terminals Inc. has deployed additional modern equipment at the Batangas Container Terminal as it expands the port’s role as a trade facilitator and smart logistics option for the Calabarzon region comprising of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces.
BCT recently added two new ship-to-shore cranes and four more rubber-tired gantry cranes, manufactured by Shanghai-based ZPMC, effectively doubling the port’s STS and RTG fleet to four and eight, respectively.
The new STS cranes can reach up to 16 container rows, lift two 20-foot containers simultaneously and handle loads of up to 70 tons. The RTGs, meanwhile, can stack up to six containers high.
Aside from these, ATI also acquired more cargo handling equipment such as reach stackers, side loaders, internal transfer vehicles and chassis to further boost terminal efficiencies.
ATI’s latest investment forms part of its commitment with the Philippine Ports Authority and complements the expansion of BCT’s berth and yard space which began in 2017.
BCT will now be able to accommodate more and bigger vessels at faster turnaround time using its 600-meter berth, and handle more international boxed cargoes, bringing BCT’s throughput capacity to over 450,000 teus (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually.
ATI’s expansion program in Batangas Port is in response to the growth of Calabarzon industries and in support of government’s efforts to decongest Metro Manila roads.
Sustaining its growth momentum, BCT recorded a new operations milestone in 2018 handling close to 250,000 teus, a volume increase of over 25 percent from 2017.
Equally important, this meant reducing over 125,000 truck trips along Metro Manila roads, with more consignees routing containerized cargoes via South Luzon’s preferred international gateway port.
