Razon-owned International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is eyeing to operationalize South Luzon Container Terminal (SLCT) in Bauan, Batangas by 2028, boosting connectivity in southern Luzon.
The USD800-million project owned by global port operator Enrique K. Razon Jr. will roll out in phases over two years and is set to become one of the country’s largest container gateways, the Razon-controlled terminal operator said in a statement Monday.
“When fully operational, SLCT is expected to add up to two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), in annual capacity across ICTSI’s network,” it also said.
SLCT, formerly named Luzon International Container Terminal (LICT), is designed to make Southern Luzon more connected and competitive.
It is approximately 120 kilometers south of Manila and just nine kilometers west of Batangas City. This location ensures easy access to major urban and industrial centers in Southern Luzon, particularly the bustling CALABARZON region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon). The connectivity is further enhanced by direct access to well-developed road networks, including Makalintal Avenue, Palico-Balayan-Batangas Road, and the Bauan-Mabini Road, with additional expressway projects from Cavite to Bauan expected to further improve accessibility,”
“By building capacity closer to manufacturing and export hubs, the project aims to reduce logistics steps, shorten lead times and expand options for shippers,” ICTSI said.
The site—currently operating as Bauan International Port and primarily serving roll-on / roll-off handling of completely built-up units—is being converted into a modern container terminal capable of accommodating ultra-large container vessels. SLCT will have a controlling depth of up to 18 meters to handle larger ships and improve schedule reliability.
Located nine kilometers from Batangas City, SLCT will connect to major road corridors and planned expressways, positioning it as a key gateway for Calabarzon’s manufacturing and export base.
When announced in August last year, ICTSI said the project involves the development and construction of port facilities across a 56.21-hectare land area, including an offshore area with depths of up to approximately 18 meters, essential for accommodating next-generation vessels.
Part of the terminal’s feature will be a 750-meter wharf frontage/quay length, berths with a depht of up to 18 meters and capable of berthing 50,000-188,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT), two offshore mooring dolphins, eight quay cranes, and 20 rail mounted gantries.
On Monday, ICTSI added that phase 1 of the project covers marine works and the construction of a 425-meter quay equipped for super post-Panamax quay cranes.
“Construction is scheduled from May to September 2027, followed by the delivery and installation of container-handling equipment by August of the same year,” it said.
At the completion of Phase 1, SLCT is planned to have an initial capacity of 800,000 TEUs.
The terminal will include an 11-hectare container yard, four remotely operated super post-Panamax quay cranes, four rail-mounted gantry (RMG) lanes with eight RMGs, ten container shuttle carriers, and dedicated operations and engineering facilities. A substation and power generation systems will support reliability and performance.
“In August 2025, the Department of Transportation and the Philippine Ports Authority inspected the site and noted that SLCT aligns with the Build Better More infrastructure program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which aims to expand port capacity and support economic growth,” ICTSI said.
