Industrial and manufacturing expansion in Southern Luzon is set to accelerate following the official construction launch of the South Luzon Container Terminal (SLCT). Led by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), in partnership with International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), the facility is poised to become the Philippines’ second-largest container terminal.
The project follows a direct mandate from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fast-track infrastructure developments through public-private partnerships, ensuring robust regional growth and a more resilient national supply chain.
Transportation Secretary Giovani Lopez emphasized that the SLCT will serve as a vital economic engine for the CALABARZON region while easing the logistics pressure on Metro Manila’s existing ports.
“The construction of this seaport is in line with the directive of the President to facilitate trade in regions and enhance the supply chain throughout the country,” Secretary Lopez stated. He further noted that the terminal is expected to generate thousands of local jobs and attract new industrial investments to Southern Luzon.
Designed as a “smart technology” facility, the SLCT will integrate cutting-edge automation to maximize efficiency. Key technical specifications of the terminal include:
Advanced Equipment: Eight remote-controlled ship-to-shore cranes, 20 rail-mounted gantries, and 32 diesel-hybrid carriers and handlers.
Infrastructure Scale: At full development, the site will feature an 800-meter quay and a 38-hectare yard.
Deep-Water Capability: An 18-meter berth depth to accommodate the world’s largest container vessels.
Annual Capacity: Expected to exceed two million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) annually.
Phase 1 construction is scheduled to begin in May 2027, with a targeted completion date in 2028.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by a high-level delegation, including former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago, and senior ICTSI officials alongside provincial and local leaders.
