SITC Boosts Iloilo Trade With Weekly Calls

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has expanded trade connectivity in Western Visayas with the resumption of SITC Container Lines’ weekly vessel calls at the Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), solidifying Iloilo’s position as a regional logistics hub.

The SITC Yokohama made its maiden call to VCT on March 29, officially relaunching SITC’s revamped China-Philippines Express 7 (CPX7) service, which now includes Iloilo in its regular weekly rotation.

The CPX7 service links Iloilo with Shanghai and Xiamen in China, and Cebu and Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines, offering importers and exporters improved schedule reliability and faster access to key domestic and international markets.

“This development reinforces our commitment to strengthening Iloilo’s role in the regional supply chain,” ICTSI said in a statement. “The weekly service opens more trade doors for local businesses, especially in agriculture and fisheries.”

SITC, based in Hong Kong, is a leading intra-Asia shipping line with a network spanning 120 ports across ASEAN, China, Japan, and beyond.

The CPX7 service deploys the SITC Fujian, a gearless vessel with a capacity of 1,800 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The ship takes full advantage of VCT’s recent infrastructure upgrades, including new mobile harbor cranes—currently the largest of their kind in the Visayas.

These cranes significantly enhance VCT’s ability to handle larger vessels and boost cargo handling efficiency, reducing vessel turnaround time and increasing terminal throughput.

With the service expansion, VCT will support the movement of construction materials, consumer goods, and general cargo, while offering new export opportunities for Western Visayas’ agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The terminal’s modernization efforts and strategic location are expected to drive growth across Central Philippines’ high-potential regions.

According to ICTSI, the enhanced port capability will help local producers reach larger markets and attract investment in trade-related industries.

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Manila, ICTSI is recognized globally for its public-private partnerships in port operations and its commitment to sustainable development across 20 countries.

VCT is part of ICTSI’s nationwide terminal network, which aims to promote inclusive growth by enabling world-class logistics infrastructure in underserved regions.