International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has announced it is building a new international container terminal in Bauan, Batangas, Philippines.

The new terminal is set to be the largest privately funded marine terminal investment in the country’s history, and it will ultimately be the second-largest container facility after the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) in the Port of Manila.

With design and engineering studies well underway, ICTSI will begin construction in the first quarter of 2025.

With the first berth scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, the terminal will become a catalyst for economic growth across Southern Luzon, creating jobs and accelerating regional development.

The terminal is also expected to play a role in providing the marine handling needs required by the country’s renewable energy transition strategy for Southern Luzon.

Construction will begin in 2025 with an estimated $800 million investment. Upon completion, the terminal will feature up to 900 metres of quay, with at least eight ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes and an estimated capacity of over 2 million TEU per annum.

Critically, the terminal will have direct and unencumbered access to Southern Luzon’s expressways. This was made possible by the completion of the Bauan-San Pascual-Batangas-STAR tollway diversion road.

Additional expressway projects from Cavite to Bauan by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation and San Miguel Corporation are expected to further enhance the new port’s connectivity making it the most efficiently connected maritime facility in Luzon by both capacity and route access.

Strategically located 120 kilometres south of Manila and 9 kilometres west of Batangas City, the Bauan facility will become the premier international gateway for shippers based in the CALABARZON region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), and the most modern container terminal in the country, reported ICTSI.

Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI Executive Vice President, said: “The new terminal represents a significant leap forward for Southern Luzon.

“We are building a world-class facility that will unlock a wave of economic benefits for the region and the country. It will create new employment opportunities, improve the quality of life for our host communities and the industries located around the terminal, and solidify Southern Luzon’s position as a key player in global trade.

“We are grateful to Batangas governor Hermilando Mandanas for his support and vision for critical infrastructure in the province. We likewise wish to thank the Department of Public Works and Highways, and more specifically, former Senator and current Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and former Deputy Speaker and Batangas Representative Raneo Abu for their vision to efficiently connect Bauan to Southern Luzon’s tollways network.”

In March, ICTSI’s subsidiary company, Manila Harbor Center (MHC), unveiled a new name, logo and website as part of a strategic rebranding initiative in 2024.