The Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), a business unit of the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), has marked a significant milestone in its operations by commissioning two state-of-the-art mobile harbor cranes (MHCs) at the Iloilo port.
The cranes, the first of their kind on Panay Island, are poised to enhance the terminal’s capabilities as a vital trade gateway to Western Visayas.
Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTS executive vice president, expressed pride in this development, saying, “These new cranes, the largest and most modern in Panay Island, represent our commitment to pursue a culture of efficiency and advancement.” He said the flexibility the MHCs bring will significantly improve service delivery, enabling the terminal to achieve results that benefit stakeholders and bolster the local economy.
Manufactured by Konecranes, each ESP.5 Gottwald MHC boasts of a reach of 46 meters and a lifting capacity of 100 tons. Their introduction is expected to streamline operations at VCT, enhancing the terminal’s ability to handle a growing volume of containerized, bulk, general, and project cargo. The advanced technology promises faster turnaround times for vessels and trucks, improved safety protocols, and overall greater efficiency at the port.
To ensure optimal operation of the new cranes, ICTSI has provided comprehensive training for VCT personnel, utilizing expertise from its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and the South Pacific International Container Terminal (SPICT) in Lae, Papua New Guinea.
The addition of the MHCs is part of ICTSI’s broad modernization plan for VCT, which also includes new reach stackers, trailers, prime movers, and empty container handlers. The terminal is further expanding its bulk operations with the acquisition of additional bagging machines and clamshells, and it is in the process of constructing reefer stacks to accommodate the increasing demand for refrigerated cargo.
VCT is committed not only to operational excellence but also to local community development. The terminal prioritizes local hiring and partnerships with regional contractors, fostering economic growth in Iloilo.
VCT represents ICTSI’s inaugural operation in Central Philippines. In January 2024, the Philippine Ports Authority granted ICTSI a 25-year concession to modernize and develop the Iloilo port into a key trade hub, further solidifying its role in the region’s economic landscape.
