By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
The Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) further established itself this week as having the largest fleet of modern container-handling equipment in the country with 18 quay cranes (QCs) and 58 rubber tired gantries (RTGs).
Mr. Jonnel P. Javier, public relations office superintendent of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), confirmed today, July 26, that it took delivery of another new quay crane and eight new hybrid rubber tired gantries for its flagship, MICT.
In a statement sent to THEPHILBIZNEWS.COM, Javier said the newly delivered QC is Manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. (ZPMC). It is part of the five from ICTSI’s 2018 USD80-million capacity improvement program package.
“With a reach of up to 16 rows across twin, the new QC can service the largest feeder vessels calling the Philippines. It will be deployed at Berth 3,” he said.
Complementing quayside improvements, the eight RTGs are also part of the 2018 16-unit order from Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.
“Faster and more-fuel efficient than standard diesel RTGs, these RTGs are the most eco-efficient landside port equipment in the country today. They are also part of ICTSI’s Group-wide commitment towards ensuring carbon-neutral operations part of which includes expanding the use of next generation energy-efficient cargo handling equipment and vehicle fleets,” Javier said.
To further lessen its footprint at its flagship while addressing productivity demands, ICTSI recently made a fresh order of 16 new hybrid RTGs again from Mitsui. This forms part of ICTSI’s USD380million group-wide capital expenditure.
Scheduled for delivery in early 2020, terminal emissions and fuel consumption per move are expected to be reduced by up to 40 and 60 percent, respectively, while increasing the MICT’s RTG fleet to 74.
“The new quay cranes and rubber tired gantries, along with other improvements, will push a notch higher our terminal’s already efficient turnaround times – quayside and landside. This should redound to economic benefits for the Philippine supply chain. At the same time, we are proud of the push that we are undertaking to attain carbon neutrality at our flagship,” said Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI Global Corporate Head.
Gonzalez adds: “On top of what has already been done, a number of initiatives are currently in place or are being put in place across the ICTSI Group to improve productivity and reduce port emissions. These include gate automation and gate system upgrades to reduce queuing times, fleet changes to introduce faster and more fuel-efficient equipment, and utilizing machine learning and analytics to improve and automate yard strategy to reduce truck stay times. Taken altogether, these are expected to have an even greater material impact on indirect emissions from ICTSI port operations, seen to reduce cycle times of more than 20 minutes per truck visit.”
With the largest port equipment in the country, existing or planned, the MICT remains to be the only Philippine terminal capable of servicing the largest boxships plying Asian routes.
To further ramp up capacity in support of growing Philippine trade, ICTSI has begun construction of Berths 7 and 8, and back-up areas for the future Berths 9 and 10. ICTSI has several other projects in the pipeline supporting MICT’s ever-increasing role as the country’s leading international gateway, including inter-terminal transfers at NorthPort for greater inter-island connectivity, and increased barge berthing services between the MICT and Cavite Gateway Terminal in Tanza.
