INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) said it has acquired eight brand new rubber-tired gantries (RTG) to support the Manila International Container Terminal’s (MICT) new Berth 6 operation.

In a statement, the Razon-led port operator said the eight RTG would cost about $10.7 million and expected to be delivered starting June next year. The new RTG would raise the terminal’s RTG fleet from the current 37 to 45, the largest RTG fleet in the Philippines and among the other ICTSI-operated terminals worldwide.

Furthermore, this investment, together with the startup of Berth 6, will raise the MICT’s current annual capacity of 1.9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 2.5 million TEUs. The MICT is ICTSI’s flagship operation. The new Kalmar RTGs employ the latest technology to provide optimum efficiency.

“They are configured to provide one over five high stacking and six containers plus roadway wide. Precise container handling is enhanced through the latest Siemens Sinamics technology in which container sway is controlled through an automatic electronic system,” ICTSI said.

ICTSI added that these RTGs will yield fuel savings of at least 20 percent compared to the current fleet. On top of this, an order has been placed for two new ZPMC super post-Panamax quay cranes also for the new Berth 6.

“These cranes, capable of lifting containers on 18-container wide vessels will enter service in 2012 and share many of the high technology features incorporated into the RTG design,” ICTSI said.

Earlier, ICTSI reported a net income of $61.1 million in the first six months, up 47 percent compared to the $41.6 million in the same period last year.

The company’s consolidated revenues for January to June amounted to $319.1 million, 29 percent higher than the $246.9 million reported last year.

The port operator handled consolidated volume of 2.48 million TEUs in the first half of the year, 24 percent more than the 2.01 million TEUs handled in the same period last year.

For the full year, ICTSI’s capital expenditure amounted to $356 million to finance new projects in Argentina, Mexico and Columbia and for civil works, systems improvement, and purchase of major cargo handling equipment at its terminal operations in Manila, Brazil and Ecuador.

Headquartered in Manila, Philippines, ICTSI is a leading port management company involved in the operations and development of 22 marine terminals and port projects in 17 countries worldwide.