ICTSI building $800-million container terminal in Batangas

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) said Friday it is developing a new international container terminal in Bauan, Batangas.

The project worth $800 million will be the largest privately-funded marine terminal in the Philippines and the country’s second-largest container terminal, trailing only ICTSI’s flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).

The Luzon International Container Terminal (LICT) is about 120 kilometers south of Manila and nine kilometers west of Batangas City.

Its location ensures easy access to major urban and industrial centers in Southern Luzon, particularly the bustling CALABARZON region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).

The connectivity is further enhanced by direct access to well-developed road networks, including Makalintal Avenue, Palico-Balayan-Batangas Road and the Bauan-Mabini Road, with additional expressway projects from Cavite to Bauan expected to further improve accessibility.

Design and engineering studies for LICT are underway, with construction scheduled to commence by the third quarter of 2025.

The first berth is targeted for completion by the end of 2027, with full completion expected by 2028. The project encompasses the development and construction of modern port facilities across a 56.21-hectare land area, including an offshore area with depths of up to about18 meters, essential for accommodating next-generation vessels.

The LICT will play a crucial role in facilitating international trade and handling the movement of goods, especially with the global trend towards larger and more efficient vessels, ICTSI said.

By providing deeper berths, wider channels, expanded terminal facilities and automation, LICT will attract and enable mega-ships to call at the terminal, increasing the Philippines’ competitiveness in the global shipping industry, it said.

It said the project would contribute to regional economic growth, create new employment opportunities and support the Philippines’ renewable energy goals by providing efficient and eco-friendly marine handling solutions in Southern Luzon.

ICTSI said it is committed to following strict environmental guidelines throughout the construction period.