SUSTAINING its outstanding performance in 2014, the Batangas Container Terminal (BCT), managed by listed Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), has continuously handled growing volumes in the past seven months, while operating at increasingly higher terminal productivity.
From January to July, BCT handled over 81,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of international containers, up by more than 230 percent compared to the over 24,000 TEUs during the same period last year, sustained by the robust flow of cargoes in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon) and nearby regions.
The growth was equally matched by BCT’s record-high terminal productivity in July, exceeding 30 gross moves per hour (GMPH) for the first time since its start-up in 2010. GMPH is a measure of how many containers cranes move from ship to shore in an hour. The efficient handling of vessels at berth results in faster ship turnaround and quicker delivery of cargoes to consignees.
ATI successfully completed its systems upgrade at BCT last year, equipping Southern Luzon’s best gateway port with a more comprehensive operations infrastructure powered by Navis Sparcs, resulting in greater port efficiency and productivity.
More cargo-handling equipment, including reach stackers, empty loaders and internal-transfer vehicles have been deployed at BCT. The cooperation and discipline of consignees in picking up cargoes within the designated free storage time and the support of port authorities have also helped maintain optimal terminal operations.
Encouraged by the robust volume and the region’s high growth potential, ATI is eyeing to further grow the capacity and productivity of BCT. Already in the pipeline, in line with ATI’s most aggressive investment program in over three decades, are the extension of BCT’s quay length, deployment of additional ship-to-shore and rubber-tired gantry cranes and acquisition of more container handling equipment.