The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) inaugurated two new mobile harbor cranes (MHC) at the Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), marking a significant milestone as the largest and first of its kind on Panay Island.
These state-of-the-art cranes are part of ICTSI’s comprehensive upgrades at VCT, in line with the 25-year concession agreement awarded by the PPA in April 2024 under the Port Terminal Management Framework (PTMFRF). Alongside the two MHCs, enhancements to the terminal facilities, IT systems, and deployment of additional modern cargo handling equipment are also underway.
The primary goal is to elevate VCT into a world-class port capable of accommodating new-generation vessels and increasing overall cargo volume. VCT currently handles various cargoes, including cement and grains from Vietnam, as well as general cargo from China.
From April to August 2024, the terminal experienced a 16 percent increase in foreign vessel calls and a 79 percent rise in foreign cargo throughput. During the same period, there was also a 632 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) increase in foreign containerized cargo.
At present, there is a foreign vessel arriving weekly from China to Iloilo, with bi-monthly arrivals from Singapore. Additionally, foreign containerized vessels from Vietnam are expected to commence operations in the coming months.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago expressed optimism that the new MHCs will significantly expedite the arrival and unloading of international cargo entering Panay Island, a crucial step in establishing VCT as a gateway for international shipping trade not only for the province but for the entire Western Visayas region.
“This is our goal for the ports managed by the PPA: to create modern, sustainable, and resilient port infrastructure and facilities, as well as to provide services that meet the needs of the public and other stakeholders, ensuring that port operations adhere to global best practices. We also aim to establish a port regulatory environment conducive to national development,” Santiago said.
ICTSI expressed appreciation to the PPA, under Santiago’s leadership, for the transparent bidding process associated with the 25-year concession agreement under the PTMFRF.
