ICTSI announces major investment in Batangas Port

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is set to construct a new international container terminal in Bauan, Batangas, representing the largest privately-funded marine terminal investment in Philippine history, the company announced Thursday.

Scheduled to begin construction in the first quarter of 2025, the Bauan terminal aims to be the second-largest container facility in the Philippines, following the Manila International Container Terminal. The first berth is expected to be operational by the end of 2027, with the project poised to catalyze economic growth across Southern Luzon.

“This new terminal represents a significant leap forward for Southern Luzon. We are building a world-class facility that will unlock a wave of economic benefits for the region and the country,” said Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI executive vice president. He noted the new terminal will create employment opportunities, enhance quality of life for local communities, and position Southern Luzon as a key player in global trade.

The terminal will have an estimated capacity of over 2 million TEUs per year, featuring up to 900 meters of quay and at least eight ship-to-shore gantry cranes.

The project, costing an estimated $800 million, will also benefit from direct access to Southern Luzon’s expressways, thanks to recent road projects like the Bauan-San Pascual-Batangas-STAR tollway diversion road.

Gonzalez expressed gratitude towards local government and national figures for their support, particularly Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, and former Senator and current Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, who have been instrumental in enhancing infrastructure connectivity in the region.

Located 120 kilometers south of Manila and near Batangas City, the Bauan terminal will serve as the primary international gateway for the CALABARZON region, one of the Philippines’ fastest-growing areas. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the region posted a 5.2 percent growth rate in 2023, contributing 15 percent to the national GDP.

The strategic location within a natural cove in Bauan, known for its agro-industrial strength, positions the facility to balance capacity needs between Metro Manila and the burgeoning CALABARZON region, improving the country’s supply chain and competitiveness in global trade.