TIM eMagazine Issue 1 | Page 16

News ATI will spend P2.2 billion this year Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) is expanding Manila South Harbor’s capacity by 20 percent by adding four hectares or four new blocks of land in addition to its present 40 hectare container yard capacity in anticipation of growth in cargo volume. 16 E ven before the congestion starts, ATI is getting ready by constantly investing in South Harbor in terms of new equipments and in terms of land expansion. We are investing US$50 million this year, $50 million next year and $50 million in 2016 for a total of US$150 million or P6 billion,’’ Andrew Hoad, ATI executive vice president stressed. Of the total investment, ATI will spend P2.2 billion this year for the acquisition of more container-handling equipment, rehabilitation of piers, upgrade of port systems and technologies development, and new container storage areas within Manila South Harbor expanded zone port. The bulk of the company’s investments amounting to 80-90 percent will go to Manila South Harbor while the rest will go to Batangas Port which they also operate. ATI revenues grew by 26.6 percent to P3.9 billion versus the same period last year, due to higher container volumes in both Manila and Batangas and the growth of roll on-roll-off cargoes at Batangas Port. For the first half of the year, ATI reported a net income of P933 million, 80.3 percent higher than the same period last year, driven by increased port activities in Manila South Harbor and Batangas Port. ATI Batangas Container Terminal sustained its growth momentum into the second quarter where container throughput further accelerated by as much as 254 percent ,up from 194 percent volume upsurge during the first quarter. First half volumes surpasses the 2013 full year mark.