Philippine port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) said its Mexican unit has started constructing a $250 million container terminal in Mexico to be completed in 18 to 24 months.

ICTSI told the stock exchange its Contecon Manzanillo S.A. unit was building the Specialised Container Terminal 2 at Port of Manzanillo on Mexico's Pacific coast.

It holds a 34-year concession to develop and operate a second terminal at Port Manzanillo after winning a 2009 bid.

"The development of the port will be done in three phases, with phase one designed to have an estimated annual capacity of 450,000 twenty-foot equivalent units with two berth positions," it said. (Reuters)