ATI Q3 income up 24% to Php2.2-B on record volume

November 14, 2018

Listed Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) saw its net income rise by double-digits in the third quarter of this year, driven by record cargo volumes handled by its international gateway ports in Manila and Batangas, reflective of the resilience of the Philippine economy.

Ina disclosure to the local bourse, ATI reported that its 9-month income reached Php2.20 billion, up by 23.9% from Php1.77 billion a year earlier.

Revenues at the end of third quarter hit Php8.85 billion, higher by 14.6% than Php7.72 billion during the same period in 2017 on account of higher international containerized cargoes handled by Manila South Harbor (MSH) and Batangas Container Terminal(BCT). Higher volume of domestic containers, international RoRo and interisland passengers were also handled by Batangas Port over the same period.

In support of Metro Manila and nearby market environs, Manila South Harbor facilitated the delivery of over 860,000 teus (twenty-foot equivalent units) of foreign boxed shipment, representing a 4% growth compared to 2017’s end-September volume.

This is the highest throughput for MSH over the 9-month stretch, highlighted by record-breaking volume of over 100,000 teus in May, June, July and September.

In Southern Luzon, Batangas Container Terminal further stepped up its role as trade facilitator in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon),offering competitive market connectivity to major shippers in the region and helping decongest Manila’s roads.

BCT handled over 173,000 teus from January to September, higher by more than 18% versus last year. In related developments, BCT over the weekend broke through the 200,000-teu volume mark, setting a new operations milestone. Equally important, this meant reducing over 100,000 truck trips along Metro Manila roads, with more consignees routing cargoes via BCT, Calabarzon’s preferred gateway port.

“Despite handling growing volumes, ATI’s international container ports are performing well at optimum production and utilization levels headed into the final stretch, the peak season for shipments,” ATI executive vice president William Khoury, said.

“We have the capacity and expertise in providing smart trade solutions to our stakeholders. We are also continuously increasing our capabilities to handle future growth,” Khoury added.

Inline with its investment commitment with the Philippine Ports Authority, several projects are in full-swing in both Manila and Batangas to further boost port efficiency and capacity.

Efforts are underway to expand MSH’s main yard covering Blocks 143 and 145 and the infilling of the Engineering Island Basin, all within the South Harbor Expanded Port Zone.

Back in April, two new quay cranes and other equipment were delivered in MSH to support operations.

Meanwhile, two additional quay cranes, four more rubber-tired gantry cranes and other container handling equipment are arriving in BCT before the year ends, to complement the expansion of BCT’s berth and yard facilities which are nearing completion.