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Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is reviewing port fees to make Subic port more attractive as a transshipment point, particularly for automotives
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The authority aims to compete for tansshipment business with other regional hubs such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Port Klang, Malaysia
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Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority began the review after 2,984 units of brand-new vehicles from China were unloaded recently at the Port of Subic for transshipment to Chile
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SBMA says other Subic Bay Freeport piers are being considered as berthing facilities to cater to multiple industries that will use Philippine ports
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is reviewing its port fees to make Subic port more attractive as a transshipment point, particularly for automotives, and compete with other hubs such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Port Klang, Malaysia.
This, after 2,984 units of brand-new vehicles from China were unloaded recently at the Port of Subic for transshipment to Chile, according to a post on the official Facebook page of SBMA chairman and administrator Rolen Paulino.
The vehicles included pick-up trucks, vans, and SUVs.
“As we develop this market and sustain its viability in the long run, other SBF [Subic Bay Freeport] piers are being considered as berthing facility to cater to multiple industries that will utilize our ports,” Paulino added.
He noted that despite challenges in the global supply chain, SBMA’s Operations Group was able to generate P1.07 billion in revenues from January to July 2022, a 17.76% increase year-on-year.
For 2022, SBMA expects a 3% increase in port revenues to P1.41 billion from P1.372 billion in 2021, SBMA Seaport Department manager Jerome Martinez earlier said.
For containerized cargoes, SBMA forecasts a 5% improvement to 265,938 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from 253,274 TEUs in 2021.
Non-containerized cargoes, meanwhile, are expected to grow 2% to 6.47 million metric tons from 6.34 million MT in 2021.
Domestic and foreign ship calls are also forecast to improve by 2% this year to 762 vessels and 1,251 vessels, respectively.
To sustain gains over the years and keep up with changing times, Martinez said SBMA Seaport Department has developed four major long-term plans and programs, which include automating major system and processes, investing in physical and manpower infrastructure, increasing cargo volumes, and making Subic port sustainable.
SBMA is a government-owned and controlled corporation tasked to manage and administer the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales.
