PORT operator Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI) is setting aside P730 million to improve efficiency of its Manila South Harbor terminal.
ATI will expand its container yard by an additional 1.2 hectares, add a rubber-tired gantry lane, and acquire several units of RTGs.
It is also improving its information technology system by slowly introducing a new terminal system and wireless redundancy network to further protect its network and also to connect South Harbor to the Bureau of Customs.
ATI has been investing heavily in the South Harbor since 2005 and has sunk in P2.3 billion to modernize the port.
In 2007, the Philippine Ports Authority approved ATI's extension of cargo-handling contract to operate South Harbor for another 25 years from 2013.
In addition to the South Harbor, ATI operates and manages a logistics business in Calamba, Laguna, and a bulk grain terminal in Mariveles, Bataan. Its subsidiaries also have port operations in Batangas, and in South Cotabato.
The port's January 2009 volume is down 20% compared to the same month last year, another sign that the global economic crisis has hit the ports industry hard.
