SITC strengthens Iloilo’s trade ties with weekly calls at VCT

The Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), is set to strengthen its role as a key trade hub with the introduction of SITC Container Lines' revamped China-Philippines Express 7 (CPX7) service. Starting in March 2025, the service will bring regular weekly calls to Iloilo, improving the region’s connectivity to key Asian markets.

The CPX7 service is designed to enhance Iloilo’s trade links by offering more reliable, frequent, and efficient cargo handling. Deployed with the SITC Fujian, a 1,800-TEU capacity gearless vessel, the service benefits from VCT’s recently upgraded infrastructure, including the newly installed mobile harbor cranes. These cranes, along with other terminal improvements, enable faster vessel turnaround times and more seamless cargo operations.

The new weekly rotation of the CPX7 service connects Iloilo with major Asian markets and key domestic ports. These include Shanghai and Xiamen in China, along with Cebu and Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines. This expanded service frequency boosts schedule reliability and optimizes the supply chain, providing greater benefits for both importers and exporters in Western Visayas and other regions.

SITC, a Hong Kong-based shipping company, operates an extensive network across 120 ports in the ASEAN region, China, Japan, and other major markets. With the addition of Iloilo to this network, the Visayas becomes an even more strategic gateway for trade in the Philippines. The enhanced connectivity ensures that businesses in the region can take advantage of smoother import-export operations, with an emphasis on boosting the flow of essential goods.

The weekly calls of the SITC vessels will support the movement of a range of products, including construction materials, fast-moving consumer goods, and general merchandise. Additionally, the service is expected to create stronger export opportunities for local agricultural and fisheries products, allowing businesses in these sectors to expand their reach to international markets.

VCT’s modernization efforts, which include the introduction of the mobile harbor cranes that are currently the largest port equipment in the Visayas, are essential in meeting the growing demand for larger vessels and higher cargo volumes. These upgrades not only enhance the port’s operational efficiency but also position VCT as a competitive logistics hub in the region. This makes the terminal an attractive option for businesses seeking to expand their supply chains in the Visayas.

The expansion of the CPX7 service, coupled with the upgraded facilities at VCT, underscores ICTSI’s commitment to improving regional trade capacity. The development highlights Iloilo’s emerging role as a vital logistics and trade hub, reinforcing its strategic importance in supporting economic growth in the Western Visayas region and beyond.

Incorporating Iloilo into SITC’s CPX7 network signals a promising future for the city and nearby provinces, with growing opportunities for business and investment.