NorthPort rehab on track for completion by 2027

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March 20, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s largest domestic cargo terminal is approaching its final rehabilitation stage, putting it on schedule to be completely upgraded by 2027, its private concessionaire said.

As of end-February, International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has completed ahead of schedule structural changes to the second and third segments of the Manila North Harbor Port Inc. (NorthPort).

The sections, spanning 42.5 meters, were rehabilitated to strengthen the pier’s structural integrity and seismic resilience, enhancing its safety features and preparing it for future demand.

ICTSI has moved to reinforcing the fourth and final 52.5-meter section of the pier. It is also resurfacing the deck area and repairing above-deck damage to prevent deterioration.

Further, ICTSI is extending the pier’s marine fender system, which is responsible for absorbing impact from vessels upon berthing. The rehabilitation aims to widen the fender system to at least 1,000 millimeters, from 700 mm currently, to support safer docking.

“These activities are being carried out in parallel to minimize disruptions to ongoing operations (of the pier),” ICTSI said.

At the current rate of activities, ICTSI is confident that NorthPort would be fully rehabilitated by 2027, aligned with the terminal’s three-year upgrade.

“The program is designed to ensure NorthPort remains capable of supporting long-term domestic trade growth while maintaining safe and reliable operations,” ICTSI said.

NorthPort, which spans nearly 61 hectares in the Port of Manila, is the country’s largest domestic cargo terminal. It connects Metro Manila to other ports of the archipelago and vice versa through passenger transport, inter-island shipping and container-handling services.

NorthPort’s operator ICTSI is spending $740 million for capital expenditures this year, up by 14 percent from 2025’s $650.44 million. ICTSI plans to stay aggressive, hunting for more projects to add to its portfolio, even as the world is facing a fresh round of geopolitical conflict.

The capex will be used to improve the capacity of domestic projects like the Manila International Container Terminal and NorthPort.

Similarly, ICTSI is expanding its coverage in Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mexico in an effort to strengthen its leverage as one of the world’s largest port operators.