Phividec Industrial Authority (PIA) said ICTSI, based on its submitted bid documents, is eyeing growth of at least 10 percent in the first year of operation at the MCT.

Dante Clarito, port management manager of MCT, said ICTSI has a network of international ports which they can use to market MCT.

ICTSI operates ports international ports in Ecuador (CGSA), China (YRDICT), Syria (TICT), Georgia (BICT), Columbia (SPIA), Poland (BCT), Brazil (TSSA) and Madagascar (MICTSL), among others and continue to look for other ports.

Clarito said that ICTSI must lure foreign shipping lines to call at MCT like RCL, the leading container shipping line in Asia and Pacific Eagle Lines Pte.

MCT's three regular callers are Maersk, National Marine Corp. and Lorenzo Shipping Corp.

MCT handles containerized cargo of Nestle, Pilipinas Kao, Del Monte's wood industry, DOLE and general cargo.

MCT, a flagship project of Mindanao is designed to accommodate an annual throughput of 270,000 TEUs. The berth length is 300m with a depth of 13m below the mean lower low level. MCT has two gantry cranes and four rubber-tired gantries.

MCT 's infrastructure development is needed to pump prime Mindanao development. If the volume warrants, Clarito said ICTSI would be expanding the said terminal as well as the needed equipments.

Oro port, said to be the closest rival of MCT, is bracing for expansion and has requested for additional quay crane from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

"MCT's operation compliments Oro port. Many expansions have been going on in Mindanao like the expansion of plantation of Del Monte in Cagayan de Oro and its better that they have alternative options," he said.

Oro port handles container cargo of Del Monte Fresh. It also has heavy passenger traffic.