The project included a number of critical works, primarily the extension of the berth that adds another 150 meters to Berth 7, creating a contiguous 600-meter berth along with the neighboring Berth 6 to accommodate more than 8,000-TEU capacity vessels. Currently, the two berths have five quay cranes, with up to six quay cranes being planned.

The expansion of the berth is complemented by the addition of approximately another 5.5 hectares of the container yard-three hectares reserved for laden containers and 2.5 hectares for empties. This redounds the terminal's additional capacity to an estimated 200,000 TEUs for laden containers and 150,000 TEUs for empty containers.

In spite of some constraints caused by the pandemic, the additional berth space was completed on time and on budget, with strict safety and health procedures enforced during the construction and completion of the project.

The MICT, under its equipment replacement program, aims to purchase next year another eight environmentally friendly hybrid rubber tired portals to add to the 32 hybrid RTGs acquired beginning in 2018 in order to continue enhancing service levels.

Part of the replacement program includes the demolition of the first quay crane of the MICT this year, which will be replaced by three new quay cranes over the next three years, all capable of servicing larger vessels with a capacity of over 12,500 TEU.

Maritime Business World