-
Inter-terminal cargo transfers between North Port, the domestic terminal in Manila North Harbor, and Manila International Container Terminal play a key role in the operation of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc.’s (CCBPI) recently launched Mega Manila hub
-
Inter-terminal transfer operations make CCBPI logistics operations more efficient by cutting container truck trips from the Port of Manila to the beverage company’s plants in Laguna and vice versa, according to port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc
-
The mega Manila port hub is part of Coca-Cola’s $63 million investment in the Philippines for 2021, which will be used primarily to increase capacity in Luzon
Inter-terminal cargo transfers between North Port, the domestic terminal in Manila North Harbor, and Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) play a key role in the operation of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc.’s (CCBPI) recently-launched Mega Manila port hub, according to International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), which operates both North Port and MICT.
CCBPI last June 28 opened its Mega Manila Hub in North Port. In partnership with North Port operator Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. and Container Bridge Philippines, Inc. (CBPI), the hub is a strategic convergence point for the company’s shipping operations, giving it an opportunity to synergize transport movements and generate cost savings.
In a statement, ICTSI said inter-terminal transfer (ITT) operations between North Port and MICT enables CCBPI to conduct its logistics operations more efficiently by cutting container truck trips from the Port of Manila to the beverage company’s plants in Laguna and vice versa.
Prior to the launch of the new facility, Coca-Cola’s sea shipments were transported directly from the Port of Manila to the beverage company’s plants. With the ITT operations in place, shipments are transferred from container vans to trucks bound for Coca-Cola’s manufacturing facilities. Shipments from the plants are then sent back through the same mode and, at the Manila port hub, they are processed for domestic shipping to distributors in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. ICTSI said this completes an efficient logistics cycle that also contributes to the reduction of container trucks on the road.
In a message during the inauguration of the hub, ICTSI executive vice president Christian Gonzalez said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to be able to offer a value-adding service to one of the country’s largest and most admired companies. At the same time, we are excited to demonstrate the enhanced synergies and competencies to be had from inter-terminal cargo transfers, which we are sure will further effect time and cost savings for all parties.”
In addition to leasing a container freight station warehouse, NorthPort offers Coca-Cola and CBPI readily available container storage along with other allied port services.
ICTSI said employing ITTs also benefits other stakeholders including the City of Manila, the commuting public and the environment.
“Another favorable result of inter-terminal transfers is the reduction of truck trips from the Port of Manila to Sta. Rosa and back. Less truck on the road frees up traffic which, in turn, translates to less carbon emissions – an added benefit for multiple stakeholders,” Gonzalez said.
The mega Manila port hub is part of Coca-Cola’s $63-million investment in the Philippines for 2021, which will be used primarily to increase capacity in Luzon. Shipping an average of 6,000 containers across the country yearly, the company saw that establishing the port hub could further improve its operations.
“We source them from Sta. Rosa in the North and then we ship them to Visayas and Mindanao through Manila Bay. Therefore, we decided that this would be a wonderful time and a wonderful opportunity to launch this mega Manila hub for CCBPI,” CCBPI president and chief executive officer Gareth McGeown, CCBPI said.
Coca-Cola’s Manila port hub is managed by third-part logistics solutions provider CBPI.
