PPA eyes extension of ICTSI contract

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THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is looking at extending beyond 2013 the contract of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) to operate the country’s largest port, the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), provided ICTSI makes good on all its commitments to further develop the port.

According to PPA, the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel has said there is no need to go through a public bidding once the 25-year concession expires, even as it suggested the creation of a committee that will discuss the renewal process and structure of a new contract. ICTSI is allotting $125 million for the further development of MICT, including the acquisition of new equipment, systems enhancement and infrastructure developments to increase capacity and accommodate bigger vessels. ICTSI senior vice president and MICT general manager Francis M. Andrews said the company is planning to dredge further the existing berthing area to comply with the PPA’s requirement of 7.5 meters.

“The dredging will start in April and is expected to be completed in one month,” he said.