04/02/2008 [ tribune.net.ph ]
Ports operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has won the right to operate the key Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT), which is the biggest in Mindanao.
ICTSI is now drafting a 25-year contract to operate the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT), Narlene Soriano ICTSI’s corporate communications chief said.
Soriano said the Phividec Industrial Authority (PIA) has given ICTSI 10 days to prepare the contract for MCT. “We were given notice that we gave the best offer, so now we have 10 days to draw up a contract,” she said.
Soriano said ICTSI expects to sign the contract with PIA on April 10, when the 10-day period expires. Soriano refused to give details on what are the provisions of the contract, saying they will disclose the details once it was signed.
ICTSI was chosen by PIA the other day to operate the MCT for 25 years, being the highest bidder. Mindanao Container Terminal is located in Phividec Industrial Estate in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, approximately 20 kilometers from the city of Cagayan de Oro.
The MCT was designed to accommodate an annual output of 270,000 TEUs. The berth length is 300 meters with a depth of 13 meters below the Mean Lower Low Level.
Aside from ICTSI, other bidders that participated in the MCT auction include the Asia Terminals Inc. (ATI) and the Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc.
MCT, the most modern port in Mindanao, is being privatized by PIA to further increase its cargo traffic. At present, it can accommodate vessels with up to 30,000 weight tons.
Soriano, meanwhile, said MCT is already installed with the latest equipment and port facility.
ICTSI has allotted P8.22-billion budget for its expansion plans this year, including the acquisition of new ports. Aside from the Philippines, ICTSI further operates in China, Syria, Georgia, Ecuador, Colombia, Poland, Brazil and Madagascar.
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