Seatrade Maritime: ICTSI’s South Luzon Container Terminal moving forward

International Container Terminal Services Inc’s (ICTSI) South Luzon container terminal (SLCT) is taking shape in Bauan, Batangas, located some 120 km south of Manila, with commercial operations targeted for 2028.

The $800m project -announced in 2024- will be built  in phases over two years and is set to become one of the Philippines’ largest container gateways. When fully operational, SLCT is expected to add up to 2m teu in annual capacity to ICTSI’s network.

The site — currently operating as Bauan International Port and primarily serving roll-on/roll-off handling of completely built-up units — is being converted into a modern container terminal capable of accommodating ultra-large container vessels. SLCT will have a depth of up to 18 metres to handle larger ships and improve schedule reliability. The project aims to reduce logistics steps, shorten times and expand options for shippers.

Phase 1 covers marine works and the construction of a 425-metre quay equipped for super post-Panamax quay cranes. Construction is scheduled from May to September 2027, followed by the delivery and installation of container-handling equipment by August of the same year.

At the completion of Phase 1, SLCT is planned to have an initial capacity of 800,000 teus. 

The terminal will include an 11-hectare container yard, four remotely operated super post-Panamax quay cranes, four rail-mounted gantry (RMG) lanes with eight RMGs, ten container shuttle carriers, and dedicated operations and engineering facilities. A substation and power generation systems will support reliability and performance.