The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Port of San Francisco Commission (PSC) in the U.S. are forging an agreement in November this year to become sister ports in a move to facilitate trade in the Port of Manila.
PPA officials led by general manager Juan Sta. Ana and assistant general manager for corporate and special projects Hector Miole visited the PSC during the holding of the Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses in San Francisco earlier this month.
America’s gateway to East Asia, the Port of San Francisco offers major assets such as naturally deep waters, hundreds of square feet of covered storage, on-dock rails, acres of unobstructed lay-down space, and modern, well-maintained cargo terminals.
Under the proposed partnership, the two parties will share information on policies and best practices in port planning and building, port management and operations, information technology, personnel training, environmental protection measures, port safety and security, supply chain logistics, and cruise tourism, among others.
As sister ports, the two will collaborate on stimulating traffic and engage in other port-related activities that will encourage bilateral trade and increase business opportunities.
The PPA has forged other sister port agreements with port authorities elsewhere. In 2011, it entered into one with Incheon in South Korea. The agreement sough to promote trade and maritime transport between the two countries through cooperation in the field of port studies, training and apprenticeship, exchange of information, technical assistance, traffic development, and promotion of services between the two ports.
In 2004, PPA signed a sister port pact with China’s Guangzhou Port Authority on facilitating shipments of goods between Guangzhou and the ports of Manila and Davao.
Image courtesy of Arvind Balaram / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
