40 Manila Throughput: 2,997,606teu (+3.8%)

The port's largest terminal operator, ICTSI, handled 1,513,543teu at its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), up 10% from 1,372,251teu in 2007. As part of its concession agreement with the Philippine Ports Authority, a new 375-metre berth with a 12-metre draught alongside is currently under construction at MICT, along with an additional 14ha of paved yard.

ICTSI has also increased its fleet of container handling equipment with the recent acquisition of four Noell RTGs, 10 Terberg prime movers, 20 Dutch Lanka trailers, two over-height Stinis spreaders, two skid steer loaders, a payloader, and a self-propelled telescopic boom. Eight more RTGs were recently pre-shipment commissioned and are due to be delivered shortly.

Access for vehicular traffic has been improved with the opening of a new road for empty trucks entering the facility. The new road, a one-way paved road forking from the south access road and leading to the east access road, has reduced the travel time of trucks going to the empty container depot.

Despite attracting three new shipping line customers in 2008 – Concorde Line, Shanghai Hai Hua Shipping Co and Maxicon Container Line – Manila's main terminal operator is also facing the impacts of the global economic downturn.

"ICTSI is currently implementing cost-containment measures to dampen the financial difficulties brought about by the economic downturn," says a spokesperson for the company.