NorthPort acquires new mobile cranes to boost capacity

NorthPort, the Philippines’ premier domestic gateway and is operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), has acquired two Konecranes Gottwald ESP 5 mobile harbor cranes (MHCs) strengthening its operational capability.

The new equipment forms a key part of the terminal’s ongoing program to modernize cargo handling operations, support growing domestic trade volumes, and ensure reliable service for customers, shipping lines, and logistics partners.

The ESP 5 MHCs offer a 41-ton lifting capacity and a 46-meter outreach across 13 bays. They will be deployed at Pier 10 to enhance the future-readiness of Terminal 2, operating alongside the eight quay cranes currently serving Terminal 1. The additional lifting capacity will enable NorthPort to service more vessels simultaneously, increasing quayside productivity and improving overall berth utilization.

With domestic trade demand steadily growing, NorthPort continues to invest in equipment and infrastructure that improve efficiency and operational resilience.

Speaking on the development,

Justin Tolentino, NorthPort General Manager, said “This latest equipment acquisition reflects our commitment to staying ahead of our customers’ needs. As trade volumes surge, we remain focused on solutions that enhance efficiency and strengthen the reliability of our operations. These new cranes will help ensure we maintain the service levels expected by shipping lines, cargo owners, and logistics partners.”

The cranes arrived on November 19 and will undergo final testing and commissioning before entering full commercial operations in December. NorthPort has also placed orders for four new hybrid Mitsui rubber-tired gantry cranes, scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2026.

These hybrid RTGs cut diesel use and maintenance needs, with current units already achieving a 49% reduction in carbon emissions, lowering annual emissions from 2,186 tons to an estimated 1,109 tons. Such investments support NorthPort’s sustainability roadmap and aligns with global standards for greener port operations.

With enhanced capacity and improved quayside performance, NorthPort is positioned to better support domestic trade flows and boost the operational synergies across other ICTSI terminals at the Port of Manila.

As the Philippines’ primary domestic gateway, Northport handles most of the domestic trade at the Port of Manila.  It links the Philippine capital to the rest of the archipelago through passenger transport, inter-island shipping and container- handling services.