International Container Terminal Services : VCT welcomes new CN-PH service

SITC's CPX6 service commenced at VCT with the arrival of the SITC Port Klang, one of the four vessels operating the service. Photo shows (from left) Jason Karaan, VCT chief financial officer; Timothee Jeannin, VCT executive director; Capt. Liu Chengxuan, SITC Port Klang vessel master; Mikkel Puyat, ICTSI commercial director - Philippines cluster; and Song Junping, SITC Philippines managing director.

Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.'s (ICTSI) business unit at the Port of Iloilo in Panay, received the inaugural call of SITC Container Lines' CPX6 service on 6 May. The weekly service marks an important step in enhancing connectivity for industries in the Western Visayas region by providing a vital trade link to the markets in Mainland China.

"Iloilo is strategically located at the center of the Visayas, the second largest economic region in the Philippines. With the region earmarked for future economic development, we are pleased to collaborate with SITC in connecting the Visayas to China directly. The service will help local industries thrive by expanding their market access," explained Timothee Jeannin, VCT executive director.

The CPX6 service offers comprehensive coverage with calls to the following key ports: Tianjin - Yantai - Qingdao - Shanghai - Ningbo - Qinzhou - Xiamen - Subic Bay - Manila - Iloilo - Cebu - Davao - Tianjin. It is operated by four vessels with capacities ranging from 2,400 to 2,700 TEUs.

"The arrival of this service ushers a new era of collaboration and trade opportunity for Western Visayas, which holds immense economic potential across multiple sectors including agriculture and manufacturing. Strategic investments, infrastructure development and sustainable practices are key to realizing this potential. This service underscores our commitment to fostering trade growth and economic development in the region, and supports our goal to become the leading trade facilitator in Central Philippines," added Jeannin.

VCT started commercial operations in early April after securing a 25-year concession from the Philippine Ports Authority to develop and operate the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex. VCT's planned improvements to the port include dredging and roll out of modern cargo handling equipment.