Port operator Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) has deployed additional modern equipment at the Batangas Container Terminal (BCT), including two new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and four rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes, as the terminal handled more cargoes in 2018.
Manufactured by Shanghai-based ZPMC, the equipment effectively doubles the port’s STS and RTG fleet to four and eight, respectively, ATI said in a statement.
The new STS cranes can reach up to 16 container rows, lift two 20-foot containers simultaneously, and handle loads of up to 70 tons. The RTGs, meanwhile, can stack up to six containers high.
Aside from these, ATI acquired more cargo handling equipment such as reach stackers, side loaders, internal transfer vehicles, and chassis to further boost terminal efficiencies.
ATI’s latest investment forms part of its commitment to the Philippine Ports Authority and complements the expansion of BCT’s berth and yard space beginning in 2017.
With the new equipment commissioned this first quarter, BCT would be able to accommodate more and bigger vessels at faster turnaround time using its 600-meter berth and handle more international boxed cargoes, bringing BCT’s throughput capacity to over 450,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) annually.
ATI said its expansion program in Batangas Port is in response to the growth of Calabarzon industries and in support of government’s efforts to decongest Metro Manila roads.
Sustaining its growth momentum, BCT recorded a new operations milestone in 2018, handling close to 250,000 TEUs, a volume increase of over 25% from 2017.
“Equally important, this meant reducing over 125,000 truck trips along Metro Manila roads, with more consignees routing containerized cargoes via South Luzon’s preferred international gateway port,” ATI noted.
