DP World, in collaboration with its partner Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), has announced a landmark US$100 million investment aimed at significantly increasing capacity and performance at Manila South Harbour—one of the busiest gateways for trade in the Philippines.
Driving capacity and performance upgrades
The investment is designed to elevate Manila South Harbour’s handling capability by 20%, adding over 400,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) to the port’s annual capacity.
This move not only ensures the port keeps pace with the growing trade volumes of the Philippines, but also strengthens Manila’s role in the global supply chain.
Improvements will include modernising cargo handling equipment, enhancing yard and berth productivity, and upgrading operational technologies to meet international standards.
The upgrades also align with the Philippine government’s strategic goal of promoting seamless, multimodal logistics and supply chain connectivity.
Long-term partnership in action
DP World has held a 25% interest in ATI since 2018, and this latest initiative reflects the long-term, strategic collaboration between the two entities.
Their joint focus has been on operational excellence, service reliability, and innovation across both domestic and international cargo flows.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO, commented “DP World is honoured to be partnering the Philippine government in modernising and advancing its critical trade infrastructure, by working closely with our local partner ATI.
Investment in ports and logistics brings greater value down the value chain and prosperity to communities, a commitment which we embody in DP World as a trade enabler and leader in smart logistics.”
“Building on our strong partnership and seeing huge economic potential, we are lining up more investment projects in the coming years to future-proof the gateway terminals in Manila, Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna, in support of the resilient growth of the Philippine economy.” added Sulayem.
Enhancing economic resilience
For the Philippines, where trade plays a vital role in GDP, this port upgrade is a critical enabler for economic resilience and competitiveness. It’s not just about capacity—it’s about agility, efficiency, and being future-ready.
As consumer demand, e-commerce, and regional integration increase, so does the need for smarter, scalable port infrastructure.
And that’s precisely what this investment brings—an infrastructure uplift designed not only to serve today’s cargo flows but also to anticipate the growth of tomorrow.
A forward-looking supply chain strategy
With global logistics facing mounting pressure from geopolitical shifts, weather disruptions, and capacity imbalances, the Manila South Harbour project arrives at a pivotal moment.
It reflects a broader shift toward infrastructure resilience and regional self-reliance—goals that have become top priorities for emerging economies across Asia-Pacific.
As DP World continues to expand its footprint across the region, its partnership with ATI demonstrates how private investment, when aligned with national priorities, can deliver meaningful, lasting value to trade ecosystems.
Conclusion
ATI President Eusebio Tanco said “We are very pleased to inaugurate these major development projects that collectively enhance our capacity and capability in delivering comprehensive and market-responsive services to our customers and stakeholders.
ATI, alongside our partners from DP World, stands proud of our contribution to powering economic progress by ensuring supply chain efficiency through ATI’s strategic ports and logistics assets”.
With the first phase of the upgrade already underway, the South Harbour is well on its way to becoming a next-generation maritime gateway—designed not just to move cargo, but to move the economy forward.
