MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz Construction, the privately held construction company of the Aboitiz Group, has completed the design and construction of the new berth of DICT Bulk Terminal Inc. (DBTI), a joint venture between Davao International Container Terminal Inc. and Philcement Corp.
The expansion is expected to meet the rising demand for efficient bulk cargo handling in Mindanao, strengthening the region’s role as a key trade hub.
Designed to handle cement and cementitious materials, the facility expands DICT’s berthing and cargo-handling capacity.
Aboitiz Construction said the new berth can accommodate vessels with a deadweight tonnage of up to 60,000 and will be equipped with a state-of-the-art material handling system.
With the expansion, DICT now operates 930 meters of berth length, reinforcing the port’s capabilities and role as Mindanao’s premier agro-industrial gateway.
Reflecting Aboitiz Construction’s commitment to generating jobs in host communities, a total of 105 workers were hired during the construction phase.
“Our continuing partnership with DICT – spanning projects since 2017 – has allowed us to showcase our engineering and construction expertise in delivering quality infrastructure that supports the region’s growth,” Aboitiz Construction director, president and chairman Anton Perdices said.
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to build facilities that drive efficiency, strengthen the country’s economic progress and live up to our promise of being engineered for excellence,” he said.
Aboitiz Construction has been a long-time partner of DICT, having completed its first three berths in earlier years and the fourth berth in 2021.
The company said the projects help reduce vessel turnaround time and facilitate the fast movement of agro-industrial products.
“Achieving this kind of progress in record time is a testament to the good partnerships we have with all the stakeholders. The new berth is a sign of progress in the region and looks to allow the efficient and cost-effective trade of goods which will ultimately benefit the people of the Davao region,” DBTI president Ricardo Floirendo Lagdameo said.