Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), the flagship operation of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and one of the Philippines’ largest and most advanced container terminals, continues to enhance capacity and efficiency through infrastructure upgrades, equipment modernization, and digital innovations.
To accommodate growing demand, MICT is constructing Berth 8, designed to handle ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) of up to 18,000 TEUs. This expansion will increase the terminal’s annual capacity by 200,000 TEUs, bringing its total handling capability to 3.5 million TEUs.
Additional yard space is also being developed at MICT to enhance operational flexibility and ease congestion, according to ICTSI.
As part of its sustainability initiatives, MICT continues integrating hybrid and near-zero emission (NZE) equipment into its operations. The terminal recently deployed eight NZE rubber-tired gantries (RTGs), increasing its hybrid fleet to 83%. Plans are also in place to introduce electric trucks and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, supporting ICTSI’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per container move by 26% and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Operational efficiency has been enhanced through automated gate systems, featuring 14 automated lanes and six optical character recognition (OCR) portals. These upgrades have reduced average truck dwell time to 47.82 minutes, while pre-truck manifesting transactions now take just 48 seconds.
Additional equipment acquisitions include 43 terminal trailers, 17 skeletal trailers, and 11 tractors, further optimizing terminal operations. Meanwhile, a new yard management system improves container stacking, enhances visibility, and optimizes resource allocation to minimize bottlenecks.
To streamline processes, MICT has introduced digital solutions, including the ICTSI App, which offers real-time tracking of vessels, containers, and trucks, as well as billing computation and electronic interchange receipts. The integration of e-wallet payments expedites import clearance and gate-out procedures, while SMS notifications inform truck drivers of container hold releases and truck instructions upon arrival. Additionally, free WiFi access within the terminal has been introduced for truck drivers.
