The increase in volume was mainly due to continuing volume ramp-up at ICTSI Iraq, the Company’s terminal in Umm Qasr, Iraq; new shipping lines and services at Contecon Manzanillo S.A. (CMSA) in Manzanillo, Mexico, Contecon Guayaquil S.A. (CGSA) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and the terminals in Indonesia; and improvement in trade activities in Madagascar International Container Terminal Services, Ltd. (MICTSL) in Toamasina, Madagascar, Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT) in Rijeka, Croatia and in most of the Philippine terminals. For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, total consolidated throughput was 12 percent higher at 2,254,171 TEUs compared to 2,007,745 TEUs in the same period in 2015.

ICTSI reported audited consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2016 posting revenue from port operations of US$1.128 billion, seven percent higher compared to US$1.051 billion last year, Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) of US$525.1 million, 17 percent better than the US$450.0 million generated the previous year, and reported net income attributable to equity holders of US$180.0 million, up 207 percent compared to the US$58.5 million earned in 2015. Fully diluted earnings per share for the period surged 491 percent to US$0.065 from US$0.011 in 2015.

In 2016, the Company recognized a non-recurring charge of US$23.4 million on the pre-termination of the lease agreement at ICTSI Oregon, Inc., the Company’s terminal in Oregon, USA. In 2015, the Company recognized non-recurring items such as the gain on the sale of the terminal in Naha, Japan, impairment charges on the concession rights assets of Tecplata S.A. in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the goodwill of PT ICTSI Jasa Prima Tbk and PT OJA in Jakarta, Indonesia, of US$0.3 million, US$88.0 million and US$26.6 million, respectively. Excluding these non-recurring items, recurring net income would have increased 18 percent to US$203.4 million from US$172.8 million in 2015.

Gross revenues from port operations increased seven percent in 2016 to US$1.128 billion from US$1.051 billion the previous year. The increase in revenues was mainly due to improvement in trade activities at most of the Philippine terminals resulting to volume growth; new contracts with shipping lines and services at the terminals in Indonesia, Pakistan, Ecuador and Mexico; tariff rate adjustments at certain terminals; increase in storage and special services revenues at the terminal in Honduras; favorable container-volume mix at most of the Company’s terminals; and continuing ramp-up at ICTSI Iraq. The increase in revenue was tapered by lower storage and non-containerized revenues at Tecon Suape S.A. (TSSA) in Recife, Brazil, weaker short-sea trade and reduced vessel calls at Baltic Container Terminal Ltd. (BCT) in Gdynia, Poland, discontinued vessel calls at ICTSI Oregon in the USA, and unfavorable translation brought about by the four percent depreciation of the Philippine peso and 18 percent depreciation of the Mexican peso. For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, total consolidated gross revenue was 13 percent higher at US$293.4 million compared to US$259.3 million in the same period in 2015.

Total cash operating expenses of the Group decreased by three percent from US$432.3 million in 2015 to US$419.6 million in 2016 mainly due to improved operational efficiencies resulting to lower costs on repairs and maintenance, effective cost optimization initiatives, favorable translation impact of local currency expenses, and lower variable cost at ICTSI Oregon. The decreased was tapered by higher variable manpower costs, higher fuel and power consumption brought about by the volume increase, and cost contribution of new terminals in Argentina, Democratic Republic of Congo and Australia.

Consolidated EBITDA increased 17 percent to US$525.1 million in 2016 from US$450.0 million the previous year mainly due to the continuing ramp-up and further improvement in operating efficiencies at the terminals in Iraq and Mexico; and strong operating results from the company’s terminals in Madagascar, Honduras, Indonesia and the Philippines. Consolidated EBITDA margin continued to improve to 47 percent in 2016 from 43 percent the year earlier.

Consolidated financing charges and other expenses in 2016 was 39 percent lower to US$111.4 million from US$183.5 million in 2015 mainly due to lower non-recurring charges. In 2016, the Company recognized a non-recurring charge of US$23.4 million on the pre-termination of the lease agreement at ICTSI Oregon, Inc. In 2015, the Company recognized impairment charges on the concession rights assets of Tecplata S.A. in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the goodwill of PT ICTSI Jasa Prima Tbk and PT OJA in Jakarta, Indonesia, of US$88.0 million and US$26.6 million respectively. Excluding these non-recurring charges, consolidated financing charges and other expenses would have increased 27 percent to US$88.0 million from US$69.0 million in 2015 due to lower capitalized borrowing cost and higher interest expense.

Capital expenditures for 2016 amounted to US$391.9 million. Excluding capitalized borrowing costs and other expenses, capital expenditures amounted to US$353.5 million, approximately 84% of the US$420.0 million capital expenditure budget for the full year 2016. The capital expenditure was mainly to fund the initial development stage of the Company’s greenfield projects in Australia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq; the continuing development of the Company’s container terminals in Mexico and Honduras; and capacity expansion in its terminal operations in Manila and Ecuador. In addition, ICTSI invested US$41.2 million or 69 percent of its US$60.0 million budget in the development of Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce S.A. (SPIA), its joint venture container terminal development project with PSA International Pte Ltd. (PSA) in Buenaventura, Colombia. The Group’s capital expenditure budget for 2017 is approximately US$240.0 million mainly allocated for the completion of the initial stage development of the Company’s greenfield projects in Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq; the second stage development of the Company’s project in Australia; continuing development of the Company’s container terminals in Mexico and Honduras; and capacity expansion in its terminal operations in Manila. With regard to ICTSI’s joint venture container terminal development project in Buenaventura, Colombia, the Company allocated approximately US$25.0 million for its share in 2017 to complete the initial phase of the project.

ICTSI is widely acknowledged to be a leading global developer, manager and operator of container terminals in the 50,000 to 2.5 million TEU/year range. ICTSI has an experience record that spans six continents and continues to pursue container terminal opportunities around the world.

“Inland Port Dillon will diversify SCPA’s footprint and enable port users to gain logistics efficiencies through rail transportation of their cargo,” said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. “Inland ports provide infrastructure in the interior of the state that supports the movement of freight to and from our marine terminals. Our facilities in Dillon and Greer are important to SCPA’s overall volume growth and the significant amount of cargo that moves today by rail.”

International intermodal rail lifts have increased 170 percent since 2011, with 23 percent of the Port of Charleston’s containerized import and export volume moving by rail. Growth in the intermodal sector has driven tremendous success of Inland Port Greer, which handled a record 103,639 rail lifts last year.

“This is a significant project for SCPA and our entire state,” said SCPA Board Chairman Pat McKinney. “Inland Port Dillon complements the Port’s infrastructure investments in Charleston and will no doubt spur economic development activity both in the Pee Dee area and the surrounding region. Port-related jobs pay 40 percent higher than the state’s average wage, and it is an exciting day to bring such opportunities to Dillon County.”

“Our ports are a tremendously important part of South Carolina’s growing economic engine, and Inland Port Dillon will play a crucial role in helping our companies move goods more efficiently than ever before,” said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. “This new facility will mean even more jobs and industry, and help take our state straight to the top.”

Located within the Carolinas I-95 Mega Site, Inland Port Dillon has close proximity to I-95, a critical transportation artery in the Southeast. The area is central to a significant base of existing Port users that represent base cargo opportunities for the facility. The initial phase is expected to handle at least 45,000 containers annually, offering overnight access to and from Charleston via an existing CSX mainline.

“We congratulate Inland Port Dillon on this groundbreaking, which is the beginning stage of building a competitive advantage for area businesses by lowering transportation costs and providing greater access to domestic and international markets,” said Dean Piacente, CSX Vice President, Intermodal. “This new facility will build on the state of South Carolina’s already strong freight rail network, supporting continued business growth and job creation.”

SCPA first announced consideration of a constructing an inland port in Dillon in April of 2016. To date, SCPA has completed the initial design phase, permitting and equipment requisition process for the facility and will soon award contracts to begin construction of the terminal.

“The fruition of the Inland Port in Dillon County culminates a long process from a dedicated team and partnership in which Marlboro Electric Cooperative remains ecstatic to be a part of,” said Bo McInnis, MEC Chairman. “The Port’s leadership team is already providing tremendous value today, and the future for our entire region just got a lot brighter.”

Comments from South Carolina leaders:
“I’ve worked very hard at the federal level and with the South Carolina Ports Authority to advance the Dillon Inland Port project. This facility will bring industrial diversity and high-paying jobs to Marion, Dillon, and Marlboro counties, resulting in a huge economic impact to a much-needed area.” –
Congressman Tom Rice

“Today’s groundbreaking is another step forward in ensuring the Port of Charleston is the preferred port on the East Coast. The positive ripple effects on businesses as a result of an inland port in Dillon will drive economic growth around the region. I look forward to seeing the facility, in conjunction with the inland port in Greer, strengthen our Port’s competitiveness and improve logistics for South Carolina companies.” – South Carolina Senator Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr., President Pro Tempore and Executive Committee, North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA)

“The opportunity for job creation and economic growth driven by this facility in our region cannot be overstated. This is an extremely significant day for residents of Dillon and surrounding areas, and I applaud the Ports Authority and its many partners for making this a reality.” – South Carolina Senator Kent Williams

“Today’s Inland Port Dillon groundbreaking is an important development for our region and the state. Providing increased inland infrastructure will create industry growth and provide job opportunities that will benefit our area and the entire state.” – South Carolina Representative Jackie E. “Coach” Hayes