ATI earnings up 28.9% to P3.7 B in 2019

MANILA, Philippines — Record-high cargo volume boosted Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI)’s earnings by more than a quarter last year.

The listed port operator saw its net income rise by 28.9 percent to P3.7 billion in 2019.  Revenues increased by 8.6 percent to P13.3 billion on higher international containerized cargoes handled by its gateway ports in Manila and Batangas.

The Manila South Harbor and Batangas Container Terminal handled a consolidated container volume of 1.61 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2019, the highest in the company’s history.

International boxed cargoes in Manila South Harbor reached 1.3 million TEUs, an increase of over 10 percent from 2018’s output.

ATI said Manila South Harbor handled over 100,000 TEUs in nine out of 12 months, setting a new operations milestone, capped by nearly 124,000 TEUs in March.

The Batangas Container Terminal, on the other hand, sustained strong volume growth as it finished the year with over 311,000 TEU, representing an increase of over 25 percent.

According to ATI, the Manila South Harbor and Batangas Container Terminal have effectively supported government’s drive for inclusive growth within and outside Metro Manila by continuously opening direct market connectivity and delivering competitive port services to shippers.

“Batangas Port, in particular, has contributed in decongesting Metro Manila roads. Last year’s cargo volume meant taking out over 150,000 truck trips along metro roads, with more Calabarzon shippers preferring to route consignments via Batangas,” ATI said.

Capacity expansion and efficiency enhancement projects implemented by the port operator have positioned Manila South Harbor and Batangas Container Terminal to handle more cargoes in the future.

In Manila South Harbor, its expanded container yard along Muelle de San Francisco has added a static capacity of 4,500 TEUs.

Over in Batangas, ATI unveiled last year a bigger terminal featuring a 600-meter long berth and expanded container yard complemented by four quay cranes, eight rubber-tired gantry cranes and other cargo handling equipment.

Capacity increased to around 500,000 TEUs from 300,000 TEUs annually.

ATI has also developed additional off-dock container yards in Manila and Laguna to support efficient port operations, customers and industry stakeholders.