ATI to invest Php5-B for faster, smarter PHL supply-chain

March 16, 2022

Contributing to the economic recovery momentum in the new normal, listed trade enabler Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) said it will be spending over Php5.0 billion in capital expenditures this year for the continuous upgrade of its major port gateways for a smarter and faster Philippine supply-chain.

In its disclosure to the local bourse, the port operator said that its planned investment for the year will support ongoing ports and logistics infrastructure projects across key sites in Manila, Batangas and Laguna as well as the acquisition of more modern and eco-friendly equipment in step with its growth strategy and in line with its investment commitment with the port authority.

Part of this investment program is the continuing expansion of yard and berth facilities in Manila South Harbor to handle growing container volumes and bigger ships deployed by freight carriers. This would result in quicker and safer terminal turn-around-time for port users and move ATI closer to increasing the international trade gateway’s annual throughput capacity from 1.4 million teus (twenty-foot equivalent units) currently to nearly 2.0 million teus by 2024.

Inline with government’s Build-Build-Build flagship program, ATI is also upgrading the Batangas Passenger Terminal (BPT) as it transforms the key maritime asset into the biggest, best, and busiest interisland transport hub in the country. Phase 1 of the BPT expansion will be operational by the 2nd quarter in time for the summer peak season.

Upon full completion in 2023, the new BPT will resemble the fast-craft terminals in Hongkong and Macau, featuring fully airconditioned boarding lounges, food and entertainment kiosks, and other modern amenities, including facilities for differently abled passengers.

“As a trade enabler, we are very bullish of our infrastructure projects which would enable us to deliver faster, safer, and market-responsive services to our customers and further contribute to the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery,” ATI executive director William Khoury said.

In the same disclosure, ATI reported that its revenues for 2021 stood at Php11.16billion, up by 1.8% from P10.96 billion in 2020 on account of higher container volumes. Net income, meanwhile, reached P2.24 billion, declining 24.3% fromPhp2.95 billion in the previous year due to volume-driven expenses, rising fuel prices, sustained Covid-19 resiliency measures, and unfavorable foreign exchange rate impact.

ATI handled a consolidated volume of 1.3 million teus, 3.7% higher than 2020, with containers in Manila South Harbor and Batangas Container Terminal increasing by 3.9% and3.8%, respectively.