Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. (MNHPI) will start construction of Phase I of North Port – formerly the North Harbor — by end of the month for completion by April 2013.
“The process for approval of the detailed engineering design for phase I has been completed and construction will start at the last week of November,” Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Atty. Juan Sta. Ana said at the sidelines of the 1st Philippine International Maritime Conference and Exhibit recently.
He said he expects the modernization project to be on time despite earlier delays related to approval of detailed engineering plans.
The project includes construction of Terminal 1 or the passenger terminal building covering Piers 4 to 6, and extension of the berths at Piers 4 and 10. The latter will provide an alternative berthing area for non-containerized cargoes.
MNHPI has committed P14.5 billion to modernize North Port, including reconfiguring existing ports, expanding operational area from 52 hectares to 70 hectares, and improving other operational facilities.
A joint venture between Harbour Centre Port Terminals, Inc and San Miguel Corp, MNHPI is also committed to developing a container terminal, general cargo terminal and passenger terminal under one operational area.
Phase I of the project will be implemented over a period of six years. The first year of the contract requires completion of a crane rail for two load-on load-off berths and pavement/concreting of container yards. After completion of the crane rail, the operator will procure two shore cranes and support equipment.
So far, the joint venture has invested P1 billion, of which P650 million was provided by Harbour Centre and the rest by San Miguel for the purchase of equipment.
Another P1 billion was infused partly for the interim passenger terminal and container terminal. The port has a capacity of 1.2 million TEUs to 1.5 million TEUs.
This year, MNHPI expects to handle 780,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up from last year’s 630,000 TEUs. The port has a capacity of 1.5 million TEUs.
Photo by Matikas 0805
