Higher container volume fueled an 86.6 percent surge in Asian Terminals Inc.’s net income during the first quarter of 2025.
The port operator posted a net income of P1.40 billion in the January to March period, up from P752.7 million in the same period last year.
Revenues for the first quarter amounted to P4.73 billon, higher by 36.5 percent from P3.47 billion in the same period last year.
Earnings from South Harbor international containerized cargo and Batangas Container Terminal (BCT) increased from last year by 40.6 percent and 32.5 percent, respectively, on higher container volumes which grew by 25.2 percent and 45.9 percent, respectively.
However, revenues from ATI Batangas were lower than last year by 3.2 percent on lower volumes for domestic container, domestic RORO cargo and lower number passengers.
The government’s share of revenues for the first quarter was P908.3 million, increasing by 50.6 percent from P603 million last year due to higher revenues subject to port authorities’ share.
Cost and expenses amounted to P1.93 billion, 15.9 percent higher than P1.67 billion in the same period last year.
ATI and DP World recently inaugurated the P5.7-billion Manila South Harbor modernization project, which include the extension of Pier 3 berth to over 600 meters, yard expansion to accommodate 20,000 TEUs, the addition of two new Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, and purchase of eco-friendly landside equipment.
In all, the recent development projects bring MSH’s annual throughput capacity to over two million TEUs, growing capacity by over 25 percent from 1.45 million TEUs, previously. This enables the terminal to accommodate more cargo volume and bigger ships deployed by international carriers, providing faster and safer turnaround times to support the country’s international trade.
The two neo post-panamax STS cranes, manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries, are the largest among MSH’s 11 quay-side equipment and among the biggest ever deployed in the Philippines. With an outreach of 58 meters, each STS crane can handle vessels carrying up to 20 containers wide. Each crane is equipped with modern safety and operational features such as intelligent sensing systems for monitoring speed, vibration, and temperature, trailer positioning, anti-collision, and automated diagnostics.
In 2024, ATI handled almost 1.6 million TEUs in cumulative container volume, over 4 percent higher as compared to 2023. Of this, MSH handled around 1.3 million TEUs, nearly 8 percent higher than the total volume it handled the previous year, reflective of the expansion of the country’s economy.
For the first quarter of 2025 alone, MSH handled over 350,000 TEUs of international container boxes, over 25 percent higher compared to the same period in 2024, signaling the strong and resilient growth of the economy.
ATI is the local partner of DP World in the Philippines operating Manila South Harbor, the Integrated Batangas Port, Cavite Barge Terminal, and strategic inland logistics terminals which bring cargoes closer to beneficial cargo owners. The partnership leverages the local expertise of ATI and DP World’s global network and expertise to deliver comprehensive and innovative trade solutions for a more robust Philippine supply-chain.