ICTSI unit in Davao breaks 100,000 TEU volume in Q1

MANILA, Philippines - Davao Integrated Port and Stevedoring Services Corp. (DIPSSCOR), a unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and cargo handler at the Sasa Wharf in the Port of Davao, broke through the 100,000th TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) as early as the first quarter of the year.

“DIPSSCOR posted its highest quarterly throughput for the first time after clearing the first quarter with 101,333 TEUs, a 34 percent increase from 2010’s first quarter and 33 percent higher than the target for the period. On the other hand, unofficial throughput as of the first half was already at the 200,000th TEU mark,” according to Julien Domingo, DIPSSCOR general manager.

“We remain optimistic that we will still be able to surpass our targets for 2011. We will also be taking steps to enhance equipment and infrastructure to better serve our clients,” he added.

Bananas remain the top export commodity in the Port of Davao, the country’s leading trading gateway for the globally in-demand fruit. Data from the International Trade Center’s trademap.org revealed that the Philippine banana industry currently enjoys an 86 percent share in the Chinese market, 22 percent in Indonesia, 49 percent in Malaysia, 64 percent in Singapore, seven percent in Bahrain and 8.5 percent in Saudi Arabia.

The country’s top banana importers are Japan and Korea. Philippine bananas dominate 91.6 percent of the market in Japan, while almost 100 percent of bananas in Korea are from the Philippines.

The improving volume at the Sasa Wharf is also attributed to vessel upgrades by shipping lines to further facilitate the increasing demand for cargo transit capacity. DIPSSCOR welcomed a new client, Pacific International Lines, whose vessel, Kota Nabil, had its maiden call in February. Three other vessels had its first call during the first quarter.

DIPSSCOR further enhanced equipment and infrastructure in the terminal. In March, two 40-footerspreaders were delivered, while the extension of reefer facilities was also completed: three reefer racks, a powerhouse and auxiliary structures.

DIPSSCOR is a subsidiary of ICTSI, a leading port management company involved in the operations and development of 22 marine terminals and port projects in 17 countries worldwide. The company was among the first international terminal operators to take its expertise overseas. ICTSI has received global acclaim for its successful public-private partnerships with economies divesting of its port assets to the private sector.