The Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) can compare with most modern international container ports. It has boosted Manila’s strategic location as one of the most desirable cargo trans-shipment centers in Southeast Asia.

The growth of container traffic in Manila has been rapid. From 2,852 containers introduced in the South Harbor in 1971, the number jumped to 122,021 containers in 1977, an increase of more than 4,000 percent in six years.

The MICT emerged out of the realization that the South Harbor was not designed for containerized cargo-handling. The rapid increase in cargo volume and the consequent problem of congestion prompted President Marcos to direct the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to facilitate the early completion of MICT.

The MICT, sometimes referred to as Manila International Container Port (MICP), is located on a 94-hectare reclaimed land, of which some 61 hectares are already in operational use. Situated just north of the Pasig River, it has a quay length of 1,300 meters for five berths and a Roll On and Roll Off (RORO) ramp. Its operations are managed by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. under a 25-year contract period which took effect on June 12, 1988.