Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), the Philippines’ main gateway for international trade, said Monday it is constantly innovating to improve customer experience and boost supply chain efficiency.
Leveraging technology, the MICT rolled out innovative digital solutions to enhance transparency and make transactions more convenient for port users.
It said that when the global health crisis reached the Philippines in 2020, the MICT transitioned to 100-percent digital payments via International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s Advance Customer Transaction System (ACTS).
The system offered a convenient, efficient and secure platform that enabled port users to settle their transactions at the comfort and safety of their homes. Eliminating the need to visit the terminal, ACTS helped keep MICT customers safe during the pandemic while streamlining port transactions.
The transition also supports the government’s efforts to streamline and further improve the ease of doing business using online platforms and digital payment systems.
MICT also said its Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS) is one of the most notable innovations implemented by the company in recent years.
TABS, launched in 2015, is an online platform that enables trucking companies to schedule specific slots for container pick-ups and drop-offs, optimizing cargo movement within the port.
“Having a structured framework for truck arrivals benefits all the stakeholders in the port. TABS helps our clients to plan their trips more effectively leading to potentially lower costs. It also helps us to improve our productivity by enabling us to allocate our resources more effectively and address operational challenges more proactively,” said MICT chief operating officer Christian Lozano.
Having an appointment system in place regulating the arrival of trucks also helps reduce traffic congestion along city roads leading to the port.
The company also launched ICTSI App in 2022, which facilitates easier monitoring of shipments for MICT customers. Users can create watchlists in the app for vessels, trucks and containers, and subscribe to status notification to receive timely updates via email or SMS.
“The ICTSI App provides users with 24/7, real-time information on their cargo that can lead to more accurate and timely logistics planning. With its transparency features, the app can help our customers can make better business decisions,” said Lozano.
Aside from the MICT, Laguna Inland Container Terminal, NorthPort, Subic Bay International Terminals and Mindanao Container Terminal are also covered by the ICTSI App. Plans are underway to include other ICTSI terminals outside the Philippines.