VCT joins multisectoral talks on Iloilo Port

ICTSI and VCT officers and other stakeholders at Iloilo Port tackle the challenges facing the Iloilo Port during a multisectoral meeting.

Officers of Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) newest operation in the Visayas region, and ICTSI Multimodal Logistics Solutions section, recently met with Iloilo Port users and stakeholders to discuss the challenges faced by the port the strategies to address them.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas joined the meeting together with key officers from the Iloilo Provincial Government, Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Center, Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc., European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines – Western Visayas Branch, Philexport Region VI-A, Philippine Chamber of Commerce – Iloilo Chapter, POPA Agriculture Cooperative, and French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM. Also present were John Largo, ICTSI Terminal Development Director, and Mike Santos, ICTSI Philippine commercial manager.

The meeting included a detailed presentation on the economy of Western Visayas, wherein export and import statistics and opportunities, road networks, and significant infrastructure projects were discussed. Issues facing the aquamarine industry, bulk cargo like feeds, fertilizer and rice were also tackled.

ICTSI officers shared VCT’s project timeline and operational requirements, emphasizing the importance of services and connectivity brought about by international shipping lines like CMA CGM and Regional Container Lines. The group also stressed automation and training programs to make cargo handling operations more efficient.

Timothee Jeannin, VCT executive director, highlighted the ongoing improvements in VCT’s facilities since mid-February, reconditioning of existing port equipment and the list of new ones that will arrive.

“VCT looks forward to handling 40-foot containers really soon, and we aim to be at full capacity by September 2024 when new mobile harbor cranes arrive in the Port of Iloilo,” said Jeannin.

The multisectoral meeting ended with Rene Wernli, ICTSI vice president and head of multimodal and logistics solutions, emphasizing the importance of promoting VCT online to reach potential customers. 

The Philippine Ports Authority awarded ICTSI with the 25-year concession contract to develop and operate the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex (ICPC) last January. The ICPC serves the Iloilo province and Panay Island in Western Philippines.

VCT is set to be fully operational by April.