THE Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) saw its first-quarter container volume rise 52% to 37,940 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from 24,868 TEUs in the same period last year, thanks to strong shipments from a mining project in nearby Surigao.
“The nickel mining project in Surigao really boosted our cargo volume in the past three months and we expect (the trend to) continue until the end of the year,” MCT seaport department manager Dante Clarito told PortCalls.
Volumes were also lifted by additional shipments from Nestlé Philippines which recently opened a distribution center (DC) adjacent to the MCT. The DC sends and receives products manufactured by the multinational firm’s Cagayan de Oro factory as well as imports raw materials for use by local Nestlé factories. Together with the Cabuyao and Lipa factories, the Mindanao DC forms part of Nestle’s Asean Supply Centers for infant nutrition, filled milk powder and breakfast cereals.
“Our regular clients such as Del Monte, Pilipinas Kao and Nestle continue to have strong business, resulting in larger cargo volume for MCT,” Clarito said.
In addition, volume from small- and medium enterprises in nearby areas increased.
MCT is eyeing more users for the facility. Currently, at least five international carriers call the port — American President Lines, Maersk Line, Regional Container Lines, Pacific Eagle Lines and Mariana Express. Local clients include MCC Transport, Lorenzo Shipping Lines and NMC Container Lines.
Last year, MCT handled 118,664 TEUs, up 10% from the 109,028 TEUs recorded a year earlier and 5% higher than forecast.
Of the total cargo volume, 66% was supplied by the domestic trade and the rest by foreign trade. The bulk came from clients Nestlé and Del Monte.
