THE Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) is doubling its volume growth forecast to 10% this year on hopes of more favorable trade following the recent national elections.
“The upward trend in our cargo volume is expected to continue particularly now after the peaceful elections,” MCT port department manager Dante Clarito told PortCalls.
“We are anticipating that the market will shoot up in the second semester of the year after a new President is sworn into office,” he said, adding that economic activities in the country are starting to stabilize.
MCT expects strong volume from the Asia-Pacific region, particularly Southeast Asia.
Ongoing private-public sector initiatives in the East Asean Growth Area are also seen to bring in more agricultural trade for MCT with Brunei and North Sulawesi shippers.
In addition, the recent rise in export shipments from local manufacturing and handicraft firms will help boost volumes.
Clarito said the terminal expects to handle more export products such as beauty soap and cosmetics, construction materials like cement and paints, banana and cacao in the near future. There are also negotiations for the handling of Coca-Cola products, mango planting materials and other fruit seeds, and alcoholic beverages for consumption in hotels and restaurants.
The terminal already handles a steady stream of import products including construction materials, wood moldings, knock-down houses, furniture, handicraft, charcoal, virgin coconut oil, essential oils, tuna, yellow corn and copra.
Currently, five international carriers call at the port – APL, Maersk Line, Regional Container Lines, Pacific Eagle Lines and Mariana Express. Local carriers include MCC Transport, Lorenzo Shipping Lines and NMC Container Lines.
Last year, MCT handled 118,664 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), 10% higher than the 109,028 TEUs recorded a year earlier and 5% higher than forecast.
