THE new distribution center adjacent to the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) is expected to help double growth at the port this year.
Last year, MCT saw cargo volume increase 10% to 118,664 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), 5% higher than the target.
MCT port department manager Dante Clarito told PortCalls the launch of the Cagayan de Oro Distribution Center located in Barangay Casinglot, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental opens MCT to the prospect of more cargo. The center is used by MCT’s biggest client, Nestlé Philippines.
“The new distribution center will also definitely help ease the shipment of goods as it caters to customers in the Visayas and Mindanao region,” Clarito added.
The distribution center complements Nestlé’s other distribution centers in Luzon, It sends and receives products manufactured by the Cagayan de Oro factory as well as raw material imports needed by local Nestlé factories.
Nestlé’s Cagayan de Oro plant produces filled milk and coffee. It forms part of the company’s Asean Supply Centers for infant nutrition, filled milk powder and breakfast cereals along with the Cabuyao and Lipa factories.
Last year, domestic trade at the MCT accounted for 66% of the port’s total container volume and foreign trade the rest. Large clients such as Nestle and Del Monte brought in much of the local volume.
International carriers Maersk, APL, Regional Container Lines and Pacific Eagle Lines regularly call at the port; so do local lines NMC Container Lines and MCC Transport Phils.
