ATI allots P4.6 B for port investments

MANILA, Philippines - Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) is spending P4.6 billion this year for investments in existing ports in Manila and Batangas.

“ATI will continuously optimize its ports in Manila and Batangas for containerized cargo, non-containerized cargo and passenger handling, keeping these vital gateway port facilities competitive to customer needs and responsive to market demands,” ATI said in an annual report submitted to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The programmed capital investments for this year are also in line with ATI’s commitment to the Philippine Ports Authority.

As it prepares for future growth, ATI is looking to position the Batangas Port for both domestic passenger and roll-on or roll-off segments, as well as the international container cargo business.

Last month, ATI broke ground on the P1.3-billion multilevel car storage facility at the Batangas Port.

The facility is expected to allow the Batangas Port to handle over 7,000 completely built units or imported vehicles at any single time.

ATI is investing in the facility given growing demand for imported vehicles.

Aside from making investments in existing ports, ATI is also interested in opportunities for new port operations both in the domestic and international markets.

“As a forward-looking company, ATI keeps its eyes open for more business growth drivers, including exploring new port operations locally or overseas, given the right opportunity,” it said.

ATI ended 2016 with net earnings of P1.91 billion, up eight percent year on year.