In a statement, the firm controlled by billionaire Enrique Razon Jr. said the restructured China-Philippines Express 7 (CPX7) route – operated by SITC Container Lines – marks a significant step in linking Western Visayas with major Asian and domestic markets.
The maiden call of the SITC Yokohama at VCT on March 29 officially launched the weekly service.
The new route connects Iloilo to Shanghai and Xiamen in China, as well as to Cebu and Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines, improving Iloilo’s accessibility to both international trade centers and key domestic logistics hubs.
This service is operated by SITC Fujian, a 1,800-TEU capacity vessel that benefits from the terminal's new mobile harbor cranes—the largest such equipment in the Visayas.
These upgrades, part of ICTSI’s broader modernization program at VCT, enable more efficient cargo handling and faster vessel turnaround times, making Iloilo a more competitive port for regional commerce.
With SITC operating across 120 ports in Asia, the inclusion of Iloilo in its network positions the city as a critical logistics node in intra-Asia trade. This development is expected to streamline the movement of goods such as construction materials, consumer products, and general merchandise while opening new export channels for the region’s agriculture and fisheries sectors.
The increased service frequency is also anticipated to boost supply chain reliability and scheduling, offering importers and exporters in Western Visayas improved access to regional and global markets.
"The inclusion of VCT in SITC’s expanded CPX7 service underscores ICTSI’s commitment to enhancing regional trade capacity, fostering economic growth, and reinforcing Iloilo’s position as a key logistics and trade hub," ICTSI said in a statement.
Located in central Philippines, VCT is supported by a broad transport network and upgraded port infrastructure, making it a viable partner for enterprises looking to scale up regional distribution. The weekly SITC service not only supports Iloilo's ambitions as a maritime gateway but also enhances the Philippines’ competitiveness in intra-Asian trade.
