INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services (ISCTI) on Monday inaugurated Victoria International Container Terminal’s Phase 3 expansion.
At a remote ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton in Melbourne, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr unveiled a plate to mark the inauguration of the Phase 3 expansion.
He was joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and ICTSI chairman and president Enrique Razon.
VICT completed Phase 3A of its expansion project in December 2023. The phase increases the terminal’s capacity by 30% to 1.25 million TEU per year.
The Melbourne container terminal also acquired two automated ship-to-shore cranes, six auto container carriers and six auto stacking cranes as part of Phase 3A.
The ASCs have been operational since December 2023, supporting the increased yard capacity.
ICTSI claims the STS cranes, which have a reach of 22 containers across, are currently the largest port equipment in Australia. They arrived in the third quarter and are now operational.
Mr Razon said the additional investment at VICT sets new standards for operational efficiency and capacity.
“VICT can now accommodate the largest container vessels calling Australia – the neo-Panamax giants – solidifying the Port of Melbourne’s position as Australia’s number one container port,” he said.
President Marcos said VICT had grown to become a major player in Melbourne since the terminal started operations in 2017, giving “healthy competition to its peers”.
“Being the only fully automated container terminal in the southern hemisphere is truly a feat worthy of admiration,” he said.
“This expansion that we are seeing today is a clear sign that Filipino companies can compete at some of the most advanced economies in the world. And in the case of VICT, they are in it for the long haul.
“We look forward to VICT’s continued success and growth.”
Phase 3B of VICT’s expansion is slated for completion in 2026.
It would include the acquisition of another automated STS crane, three ACCs, four ASCs, and construction of two additional storage blocks.
