Wedoany.com Report-May 8, DP World, a UAE-based logistics group, and Asian Terminals, a Philippine port operator, have invested approximately $100 million to expand the Manila South Harbor (MSH), the Philippines’ key international trade gateway. The upgrade includes extending Pier 3 berth to over 600 meters, expanding the yard to handle 20,000 TEUs, adding two new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, and acquiring eco-friendly landside equipment.

The enhancements increase MSH’s annual throughput capacity by over 25%, from 1.45 million TEUs to nearly two million TEUs, enabling the terminal to accommodate larger ships and higher cargo volumes with improved turnaround times. The two neo post-panamax STS cranes, supplied by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries, are among the largest at MSH, capable of handling vessels up to 20 containers wide. Each crane features advanced safety and operational systems, including intelligent sensing for speed, vibration, temperature, trailer positioning, anti-collision, and automated diagnostics.

Plans are underway to introduce electric and hybrid landside equipment, such as yard tractors, container loaders, and rubber-tired gantry cranes, to support MSH’s carbon reduction initiatives. Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group’s Chairman and CEO, stated: “DP World is honoured to be partnering the Philippine government in modernising and advancing its critical trade infrastructure, by working closely with our local partner ATI. Investment in ports and logistics brings greater value down the value chain and prosperity to communities, a commitment which we embody in DP World as a trade enabler and leader in smart logistics.”

Eusebio H. Tanco, ATI’s President, said: “We are very pleased to inaugurate these major development projects that collectively enhance our capacity and capability in delivering comprehensive and market-responsive services to our customers and stakeholders. ATI, alongside our partners from DP World, stands proud of our contribution to powering economic progress by ensuring supply chain efficiency through ATI’s strategic ports and logistics assets.”

In 2024, ATI handled nearly 1.6 million TEUs, with MSH processing around 1.3 million TEUs, an 8% increase from 2023. For the first quarter of 2025, MSH managed over 350,000 TEUs, a 25% rise compared to the same period in 2024. The expansion strengthens the Philippines’ trade infrastructure, supporting economic growth and sustainable port operations.