ILOILO – The provincial government welcomes the potential expansion of International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) operations to the municipalities of Leganes and Dumangas. This development comes after a meeting of ICTSI and Regional Container Lines (RCL) officials with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on Feb. 6.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias expressed optimism about the possibility of ICTSI expanding its operations to these areas, contingent on their economic viability.
The discussions focused on enhancing the economic viability of port operations by ensuring the availability of exportable produce from the province and city.
ICTSI is a global port management company headquartered in Manila. It is the Philippines’ largest multinational and transnational company, having established operations in both developed and emerging market economies in the Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Leganes has been identified by the Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office (LEIPO) of Iloilo as a potential economic zone, along with the municipalities of Miag-ao, Dumangas, Concepcion, and Passi City.
The Dumangas port, which is currently managed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) with support from the municipal government, is seen as a development opportunity to accommodate large container ships for exporting local products.
Dumangas port, which already operates a Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) vessel service to and from Bacolod City, is included in ICTSI’s broader engagement in the region, starting with the 25-year contract to develop and manage the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex (ICPC) in Barangay Loboc, Lapuz in Iloilo City.
This contract, awarded by the PPA, marks ICTSI’s entry into port management in Iloilo, with operations set to begin upon contract signing and issuance of the Notice to Proceed.
ICTSI plans to make significant investments in infrastructure, cargo-handling equipment, and operational efficiency at the ICPC, which will be renamed the Visayas Container Terminal (VCT).
The terminal will feature 627 meters of operational quay length and 20 hectares of land for various cargo-handling activities.
ICTSI executive vice president Christian R. Gonzalez emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing Iloilo’s role in boosting the country’s supply chain and competitiveness in global trade./PN
