Cebu port handles 2.58% more containers in 2003

CONTAINER traffic at the port of Cebu registered a 2.58% increase to 465,034 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) in 2003 from 453,325 TEU in 2002 (see table below), the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) reported.

Laden and empty containers for the local market totaled 349,754 TEUs, lower by 0.12% from 2002’s 350,187 TEUs. Foreign container shipments, on the other hand, grew 11.77% to 115,280 TEUs from 103,139 TEUs handled in the previous year. Cargo throughput registered a 1.89% dip to 18,660,745 metric tons (MT) from 19,020,440 MT in 2002. CPA said the decline resulted from the 3.53% drop in locally shipped cargoes to 15,219,779 MT in 2003 from 15,776,309 MT in 2002. “The outbound contributed mainly to the drop in domestic cargoes. From 8,441,452 MT, it fell 9.95% to 7,601,464 MT,” the port agency said. Inbound increased 3.86% to 7,618,315 MT from 7,334,857 MT in 2002.

Foreign cargoes went up 6.07% to 3,440,966 MT from 3,244,131 MT. This time, outbound shipments exhibited positive growth at 27.40% while inbound slid 8.42%. Vessels calling at the port of Cebu totaled 75,664, up 15.09% compared with 65,745 shipcalls in 2002. Domestic shipcalls also grew 15.29% while foreign dropped 1.51%.

The number of passengers passing through the Cebu port went up 1.27%. Commuters going to Cebu were registered at 6,741,456, up 3.31% while those leaving the province fell 0.76% to 6,472,129 rom 6,521,971. CPA said it is contemplating the use of the Japan International Cooperation Agency feasibility study on the construction of a new international port in Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu to accommodate bigger vessels and growing cargo traffic. The study includes the application and detailed engineering of the port facility, infrastructure and development of berthing areas and cargo handling equipment.

The new port will compete with the ports of Cagayan de Oro and General Santos City.