The Philippines-based port operator Asian Terminals, Inc. has reportedly announced it would deploy additional modern equipment at the Batangas Container Terminal (BCT) as it expands the port’s role as smart logistics and trade facilitator.
According to a press release issued by ASIAN Terminals, Inc., the firm stated that it has added four rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes and two new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes from ZPMC Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. to augment the capacity of the terminal. The statement further noted that the new STS cranes can lift two 20 feet containers simultaneously, reach up to 16 container rows, and can handle loads of about 70 tons. Moreover, the RTGs can stack up to six containers high.
Sources familiar with the development claim that the expansion program of the Asian Terminal, Inc., in Batangas Port supports the efforts of the government aimed at decongesting the roads in Metro Manila and is in response to the progress of industries in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon). The company is reportedly further buying cargo handling equipment such as internal transfer vehicles and chassis, side loaders, and reach stackers to enhance the efficiency of the terminal.
If some reports are to be believed the expansion of BCT’s berth and yard space commenced in the year 2017, with Asian Terminals purchasing new cranes to augment its annual capacity to more than 450,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). BCT is now able to handle more international boxed cargoes and accommodate larger ships at faster turnaround time by utilizing its 600-meter berth.
For the record, the port operator handled nearly 250,000 TEUs in the terminal last year – an increase of over 25 percent in volume from 2017. This is said to have reduced approximately 125,000 truck trips in the city by utilizing the South Luzon’s international gateway port.