Subic Bay welcomes Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship maiden visit

The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship docked at this Freeport on Tuesday morning (September 23) as its maiden ship call here.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials and employees were present to welcome the passengers and crew of the Villa Vie Odyssey, along with representatives from the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Quarantine, and other stakeholders.

Some 650 passengers disembarked from the cruise ship as the Villa Vie Odyssey stayed in the Freeport for two days, with her passengers visiting the many tourism destinations inside Subic Bay Freeport.

The Villa Vie Odyssey is a residential cruise ship offering a unique, full-time world cruise experience for residents, or “global residents,” who purchase cabins for long-term stays, rather than traditional shorter cruises.

Once known as the Braemar, the 924-passenger ship was purchased by Villa Vie Residences in 2023 and underwent a significant refurbishment before its 2024 launch.

The ship is designed to be smaller than mega-ships, allowing access to smaller, unique ports, and features a variety of amenities, including dining, pools, a gym with Peloton bikes, and community spaces for activities like art and fitness classes. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Italian cruise ship makes maiden voyage to Subic

Another cruise ship operated by the Italian firm Costa Crociere made its maiden port call in Subic Bay on Friday (Jan. 17), becoming the second cruise ship to arrive here this month as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) predicted a surge of tourist vessels in Subic this year.

The 57,000-ton MV Costa neoRomantica followed in the wake of Asia’s biggest cruise ship, the Spectrum of the Seas, which docked in Subic on January 7 following its maiden trip here last December 27.

Costa neoRomantica is a sister ship of MV Costa Atlantica, a frequent Subic visitor, which is also operated by Costa Crociere.

The neoRomantica left the tropical port of Hainan, China on Tuesday (Jan. 14) with 1,500 passengers and 650 crew members on board and set sail for a Manila-Subic tour. The ship is expected to return to Hainan on Sunday.

As a tradition, SBMA employees and Subic Freeport residents welcomed the newly-disembarked ship passengers with a cultural show—a preview of the sights and sounds they would encounter during the Subic tour.

At the Alava Wharf where the cruise ship docked, the performing artist group Banda Kawayan also played ethnic music and Chinese songs using native instruments, while the Olongapo Drum Beaters kept up a frenetic tempo and the SBMA Brass Band played marching tunes.

Earlier, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma announced that 38 cruise ship arrivals have already been confirmed this year.

These arrivals, Eisma noted, will provide additional income to the Subic community, as well as neighboring areas that cruise passengers visit. Among the frequented destinations are Ocean Adventure, Pamulaklakin Ayta Village, and Zoobic Safari in the Subic Bay area, as well as other cultural attractions in Olongapo City and the neighboring provinces of Zambales, Bataan, and Pampanga.

In 2019, Eisma said the SBMA counted 15 cruise ship arrivals from January to October, bringing a total of 38,985 visitors that spent millions of pesos for tour buses and taxis, entertainment, food, souvenirs, and entrance fees to theme parks and resorts.

The Costa neoRomantica was formerly known as the Costa Romantica, which was built for Costa Crociere in 1993 as a sister ship to Costa neoClassica. Her public rooms are decorated with rare wood, Carrara marble, and millions of dollars in original works of art. Nine of its 11 decks were named for well-known European cities: Monte Carlo, Madrid, Vienna, Verona, Paris, London, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam.

Completely renovated in 2012, Costa neoRomantica was outfitted with 111 luxurious Samsara cabins located on the highest decks. In 2017, the vessel arrived in Hong Kong to operate cruises in the Asian market, including the Philippines. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[2] Well-wishers line up Alava Wharf in the Subic Bay Freeport to welcome the arrival of MV Costa neoRomantica on Friday, Jan. 17.

[1] MV Costa neoRomantica steams toward Alava Wharf on Friday, Jan. 17, on its maiden trip to the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Subic cruise ship tourism shifts to high gear

Brighter prospects for Subic’s cruise tourism greeted the year 2020 with the arrival here on Tuesday of the colossal MV Spectrum of the Seas for its second visit in just the last two weeks.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the ship’s return trip “presages greater opportunities” for Subic and neighboring areas, as the agency ushers in the third year of its highly successful cruise tourism program, which kicked off in February 2018.

The MV Spectrum of the Seas is the first Quantum-Ultra-class cruise ship built for Royal Caribbean International, the world’s largest cruise line in terms of revenue and second largest by passenger count.

With a maximum capacity of 4,905 passengers, the ship is the biggest and the most expensive cruise ship to sail in Asia. The 348-meter, 170-ton vessel features Royal Caribbean’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories and innovative dining concepts on top of amenities like outdoor and indoor pools, body and mind spa, fitness centre, rock-climbing wall, sports court, Splash-away bay, and an outdoor movie screen.

Eisma said that the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s top cruise liner marks the start of the second phase in Subic’s cruise ship tourism program.

“We are definitely shifting to higher gear this year” Eisma said, pointing out that the SBMA has already confirmed 38 cruise ship arrivals and two tentative bookings for 2020, as well as four confirmed arrivals and one tentative booking for 2021.

“As I have said before, this is great news for the SBMA and for the tourism stakeholders in Subic and neighboring areas. At the outset we have called for inclusivity in this undertaking, and I hope that things are really looking good for everyone now,” she added.

On Tuesday, some of the mostly Chinese and European passengers of MV Spectrum of the Seas were whisked off by buses to various local tourist attractions — from the marine and jungle theme parks in Subic Freeport o a hot spring and sand spa in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Others chose to tour Subic’s Central Business District on foot.

Eisma said the SBMA hopes to sustain this momentum with bigger ships that would bring in more income to Subic and nearby areas.
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She said that MS Spectrum of the Seas will come back for another visit on January 20, to be followed by the arrival of its sister ship MS Quantum of the Seas on February 28.

According to SBMA records, Subic received a total of 19 cruise ship visits in 2018 and 18 arrivals in 2019.

While the cruise ship tourism program has yielded less than P10 million each year in direct revenue for the SBMA Seaport Department, the indirect income earned by all the tourism stakeholders in Subic and neighboring communities were estimated to be around P83 million in 2018 and P124 million in 2019.

“If only for these, we intend to do better this year to provide better opportunities for all stakeholders involved in the Subic cruise tourism program,” Eisma said.

She added that the SBMA is in the process of upgrading maritime facilities and tourism accommodations in Subic in order to take in more cruise ships and make their visit here more economically productive to local stakeholders. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] MV Spectrum of the Seas arrives for the second time in the Subic Bay Freeport on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

[2] SBMA employees and local artists give disembarking passengers of MV Spectrum of the Seas a warm welcome to the Subic Bay Freeport

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Asia’s biggest cruise ship makes maiden call in Subic Freeport

MV Spectrum of the Seas, known as the largest cruise ship operating in Asia today, made its maiden port call here on Friday, capping Subic Bay Freeport’s stellar performance this year as the region’s emerging cruise ship destination.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma who personally welcomed the disembarking passengers said that almost 5,000 foreign tourists arrived on the ship.

“More than 20 tourist buses were fielded for our guests, who would be touring various attractions in Subic and in the nearby communities,” Eisma pointed out.

“This is great news for the SBMA, which has been marketing Subic as a must-see destination for cruise liners, and this is also great news for tourism stakeholders in Central Luzon,” she added.

The MV Spectrum of the Seas is the first Quantum-Ultra-class cruise ship built for Royal Caribbean International, the world’s largest cruise line in terms of revenue and second largest by passenger count.

The ship is the biggest and the most expensive cruise ship to sail in Asia and features Royal Caribbean’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories and innovative dining concepts on top of amenities like outdoor and indoor pools, body and mind spa, fitness centre, rock-climbing wall, sports court, Splash-away bay, and an outdoor movie screen.

Spectrum of the Seas can accommodate 5,622 passengers, as well as 1,551 crew members.

Eisma said that the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s top cruise liner marks the start of the second phase in Subic’s cruise ship tourism program.

"Beginning January next year, we shall be seeing more and bigger cruise ships in Subic. The MS Spectrum of the Seas will come back for another visit on January 20, to be followed its sister ship MS Quantum of the Seas, another behemoth that will arrive here on February 28,” she said.

Eisma added that with the arrival of bigger ships, the SBMA expects to receive bigger financial windfall for Subic and the neighboring areas of Olongapo City, Zambales, Bataan and Pampanga.

According to SBMA records, Subic received a total of 19 cruise ship in 2018, which marked the start of the agency’s cruise tourism program. The arrivals yielded a total of 38,205 visitors, and earned the SBMA Seaport Department P8.4 million in direct revenue.

This year, the 15 cruise ship arrivals from January to October generated 38,985 visitors and an income of P8.07 million for the SBMA Seaport.

Eisma said the actual income earned by all the tourism players in Subic and neighboring communities would be bigger since this would include money earned by tour buses and taxis, entertainment groups, restaurants and shops, tiangge vendors, theme parks and resorts, as well as malls in Subic and nearby areas. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] MS Spectrum of the Seas, the biggest cruise liner operating in Asia, docks at the Alava Wharf in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday, Dec. 27.

[2-3] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma personally welcomes cruise ship passengers with lei, as SBMA employees cheer on the disembarking passengers.

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More and bigger cruise ships expected in Subic next year

More cruise ships are expected to arrive in this premier trade and tourism port next year, as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) continues to upgrade maritime facilities to increase cruise tourism traffic.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the Subic agency has already listed 38 confirmed cruise ship arrivals and two tentative bookings next year.

On top of that, four confirmed arrivals and one tentative booking have been posted for 2021, she said.

“Beginning January next year, we shall be seeing more and bigger cruise ships in Subic. This includes MS Spectrum of the Seas, which will dock here on December 27 and then come back for another visit on January 20,” Eisma said.

“Then on February 28, its sister ship, the MS Quantum of the Seas, will be arriving in Subic,” she added.

The two ships, which are owned and operated by Royal Caribbean International (RCI), the world’s largest cruise line by revenue and second largest by passenger counts, are among the world’s largest cruise ships in operation today.

MS Spectrum of the Seas is set to arrive with 4,819 passengers, while MS Quantum of the Seas will bring in 4,905 passengers.

“These arrivals will also serve to provide additional income to the Subic community, as well as neighboring areas that cruise passengers visit upon arrival here,” Eisma said.

According to SBMA records, the 19 cruise ship visits in 2018 yielded a total of 38,205 visitors and direct revenue of P8.4 million for the SBMA Seaport Department.

This year, the 15 cruise ship arrivals from January to October generated 38,985 visitors and an income of P8.07 million for SBMA Seaport.

Eisma pointed out that the actual income earned by all the tourism players in Subic and neighboring communities would be bigger since this would include money earned by tour buses and taxis, entertainment groups, restaurants and shops, tiangge vendors, theme parks and resorts, as well as malls in Subic and nearby areas.

Eisma said the SBMA aims to generate more cruise ship traffic by retrofitting the Alava, Bravo, and Rivera wharves in the Subic Freeport to accommodate more arrivals.

“We’re also upgrading the Subic Bay International Airport to attract passengers who may opt for the sea-air connection available in Subic,” she said.

Eisma said that another measure the SBMA would look into is the issuance of implementing rules and regulations for Executive Order 72, which governs the admission and stay of foreign nationals in Subic as temporary visitors.

The latest cruise ship to arrive in Subic was MS World Dream, which arrived on December 11.

World Dream, which has a capacity of 3,376 passengers, was designed for the Asian cruise market and is now operated by the Dream Cruises line of the global entertainment and leisure firm Genting Hong Kong. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

Passengers of World Dream buy local food products and souvenir shirts at kiosks set up by local traders near the Alava Wharf in the Subic Bay Freeport on Dec. 11.

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Subic to develop system in cruise ship handling

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) plans to develop a cruise ship-handling protocol to sustain the growth of this booming industry.

SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma said she had instructed the agency’s cruise ship committee to produce a manual or guidebook for better management and sustainability of cruise ship arrivals.

“We have been successful so far in carving a new tourism niche in Subic with this booming cruise industry, and in order to sustain this growth we have to incorporate best practices into a structured system,” Eisma said.

“We also have to institutionalize the process of handling cruise ships so that we can provide quality service and effective assistance to the passengers and crew of the visiting vessels, as well as their ship agents,” she added.

According to the SBMA Tourism Department, a total of 19 cruise ship arrivals were recorded here last year, with the Italian-flagged Costa Atlantica setting the record at 14 visits. The rest were made by three other cruise ships: twice by SuperStar Gemini, which is operated by Star Cruises; once by Ovation of the Seas, which is owned by Royal Caribbean International; and twice by World Dream, operated by Dream Cruises.

Each of the arrivals brought in an average of 3,500 tourists who disembark in Subic and then go on tours of various destinations in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, as well as the neighboring communities of Olongapo City, Clark Freeport, and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan.

Last year, the Central Luzon Regional Development Council cited the SBMA for developing Subic into a premier cruise ship destination in the country and noted that cruise ship arrivals in Subic had generated more than P85 million worth of economic activity in the first eight months alone.

Meanwhile, 11 cruise ship arrivals have been recorded this year: seven for World Dream and four for Costa Atlantica. The latest was on May 16, when Costa Atlantica docked with 2,000 passengers and 800 crew and officers.

Eisma also said that the SBMA’s successful initiative to develop complementation programs with nearby communities to offer curated experiences to tourists now make it necessary to develop a protocol for handling cruise ship arrivals.

Marcelino Sanqui, SBMA senior deputy administrator for port operations who is also chairman of the SBMA Cruise Ship Committee, said that they will produce a handbook that will contain step-by-step procedures from the moment a cruise ship enters Subic Bay, drops anchor at Alava Wharf, disembarks its passengers, and so forth.

“The handbook may also help inform the passengers of the dos and don’ts in Subic, such as our No Smoking and No Littering policies. This will also include road directions and emergency numbers,” Sanqui added.

The handbook, Sanqui also said, may be uploaded on the SBMA webpage so that would-be visitors to Subic may get to know the attractions in and around Subic Bay area and learn how to conduct themselves while in the area. (Ric Sapnu, Sun Star)

PHOTO:

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority employees line up along Alava Wharf to welcome the arrival of the cruise ship Costa Atlantica. (MPD-SBMA)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1807146

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Eisma: Complementation key to CL tourism growth

CLARK FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is seeking to integrate tourist destinations in the neighboring provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan and Zambales to further sweeten the pot for the cruise tourism program of the Subic Bay Freeport and create inclusive growth in the region.

In a briefing here with the Pampanga Press Club at the Park Inn by Radisson Clark recently, SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma said there is a need for local communities in Central Luzon to open up more attractions and strengthen each other’s tourism offerings through tactically-coordinated programs.

“Our strategy is for Subic to become the anchor cruise ship destination, but it’s actually not only for Subic but for the inclusive growth of all of us as well,” Eisma explained.

She pointed out that cruise ship passengers disembarking in Subic have frequented various destinations in Clark Freeport, as well as attractions like Las Casas De Acuzar in Bataan and mango farms in Zambales.

“The idea is to come up with curated experiences that we can commonly sell to tourists,” Eisma said. “Zambales will have agro-tourism, Bataan and Tarlac their historical sites, while we can bring cruise ship passengers for a food trip in Pampanga to sample the popular local cuisine.”

“There is a lot of opportunity, and a lot of dreams that we can realize through the cruise ship program. The key is complementation and the strategy is to sell your own destinations as well as those of your neighbor’s,” she added.

As of now, the SBMA’s cruise ship tourism program is running smoothly, Eisma said, with Subic hosting 17 ship arrivals since February and expecting up to 10 more arrivals before the end of the year.

She added that Subic has already confirmed the arrival of 20 trips for next year, including “Spectrum of the Seas”, a 5,000-capacity cruise ship being built for launching next year by Royal Caribbean International, one of the biggest cruise lines in the world.

Last month, the Central Luzon Regional Development Council cited the SBMA for developing Subic into a premier cruise ship destination in the country and noted that cruise ship arrivals in Subic this year had generated more than P85-million worth of economic activity.

These came in the form of income from cruise ship passengers’ visits to theme parks, local transportation costs, port fees, purchase of local products, dining, and other services provided by tourism-related establishments.

To further build up the Subic cruise ship program, Eisma said the SBMA is seeking the approval of a visa-free scheme for tourists arriving at the Subic Bay Freeport that would also invigorate the tourism industry in neighboring areas.

She said the Subic agency is now working with the Office of the President and concerned agencies to amend EO 271 signed by President Fidel Ramos in 1995 that allows foreign nationals visiting Subic to stay within the free port for a maximum of 14 days without visa.

“I'm very, very hopeful that our visa-free proposal will be granted soon, because once that happens Central Luzon can expect a deluge of tourists and we would surely get our hands full,” Eisma said.

She said the SBMA is continuously working with officials of Clark Freeport and government executives in Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac to plan out tourism cooperation programs, including the hosting of the Southeast Asian Games next year.

In the same forum, SM Clark Public Relations Manager Venus Manalang noted that the renowned mall chain has been accommodating cruise ship passengers who arrived from the Subic Freeport and expressed support to SBMA plans to promote tourism in Central Luzon.

“If the SM Olongapo City branch opens their doors earlier than the scheduled work hours to accommodate cruise ship passengers, the SM Clark branch will also find ways to heighten the interests of cruise ship passengers who will visit our branch,” Manalang said. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma explains the need for complementation to boost tourism in Central Luzon during the “News@Hues” press conference hosted by the Pampanga Press Club. Looking on is PPC President Deng Panganiban. (MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma poses with members of the Pampanga Press Club after guesting at the “News@Hues” press conference hosted by PPC at the Park Inn by Radisson Clark. (MPD-SBMA)

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Chinese cruise port to connect with Subic Bay

Plans are afoot to connect the Subic Bay Freeport, an emerging cruise ship destination in Southeast Asia, to the Zhoushan International Cruise Port (ZICP), which is one of the five major cruise ports in China today.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, Zhoushan port authorities, cruise line executives, travel agents, and representatives from China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism visited here on Monday to look into prospects of connecting ZICP with Subic, along with Clark International Airport.

“ZICP targets more than 200 international cruises every year after opening their cruise port in 2014,” Eisma said. “Now they are looking at Subic Bay as their next target.”

She added that it would be logical for ZICP to connect with the Port of Subic “because the Subic Bay area is getting to be a popular cruise ship destination for Chinese tourists.”

Zhoushan, which is located in China’s Zhejiang province, is the only archipelago city in China and is considered the gateway to East China Sea.

Since its opening in October 2014, the ZICP became a departure point for cruises to Taiwan and other Asian destinations. Phase 1 of the ZICP development involved reclaiming land from the sea and building a berth for megaships. Total investment to date is reported at around $74 million.

Eisma said Subic could gain much from the proposed connection, as the Chinese cruise industry is expected to become bigger in the years to come.

“The link between Zhoushan and Subic would be mutually beneficial, since both areas have great offerings for cruise ship passengers and the potential to serve as jump-off points for other destinations in the region,” Eisma said.

“This could be the start of our version of a maritime silk road here,” she added.

At least 20 cruise ship arrivals have been calendared in Subic for this year, and some bookings have been made for 2019 and 2020. These include three arrivals each for the month of June, July and August this year.

Eisma said that another giant Royal Caribbean vessel, the Voyager of the Seas, has been scheduled to arrive here in August. Its sister ship, the Ovation of the Seas, which is the biggest cruise ship in operation in Asia, has called at the Port of Subic last June 8. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Delegates from the Zhoushan International Cruise Port and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as officials of cruise lines and travel agencies, pose with SBMA officials during a courtesy call at the SBMA office on Monday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Bigger cruise ships now calling at Subic Bay Freeport

The Subic Bay Freeport has entered the next level in its cruise ship tourism program, as bigger and more luxurious vessels began making port calls here this week.

MS Ovation of the Seas, the latest in the Quantum-class cruise vessels of the Royal Caribbean International cruise line, arrived here on Friday for its maiden port call.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma noted that the Ovation of the Seas was the biggest ship to ever dock in Subic in its long history as a naval facility.

“This ship is huge, even bigger than the so-called super-carriers of the US Navy that used to dock here when Subic was still a military base,” Eisma pointed out.

“So, as you can see, we have now taken this cruise ship program several notches higher. We started in February this year with Costa Atlantica, which has a passenger capacity of just over 2,000, and now we have this—Ovation of the Seas with almost 5,000 passengers and crew,” she added.

“We are glad that in its own little way, Subic is able to help in the national government effort to raise tourist arrivals in the country and generate more income for local people,” she added.

The Ovation of the Seas is an 18-decker ship that measures 348 meters long, has a gross tonnage of 168,666, a maximum occupancy of 4,905 passengers and, along with its sisters Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Sea, is considered the sixth biggest cruise ship in the world today.

To accommodate cruise ship passengers who wanted to visit tourist attractions in Subic and nearby communities last Friday, organizers had to field more than 50 tourist buses, the SBMA said.

Two days earlier, MS World Dream, owned by Genting Hong Kong Ltd., also docked at Subic’s Alava Wharf for a day-long stay in Subic.

World Dream, which has a capacity of 3,400 passengers, is listed as the 19th biggest among the cruise ships in operation today.

Eisma said more cruise ships can be expected here, as the Subic agency is undertaking facility development projects to further improve port services, allow the handling of bigger maritime vessels, and boost port income.

She said the SBMA and the national government have allocated a total of P135.8 million for the port infrastructure development program.

“With the completion of these three port projects by next year, we expect to see more attractive and more efficient port facilities, more customers coming in, and more income for the port,” Eisma added.

According to SBMA Tourism Department manager Jem Camba, at least 20 cruise ship arrivals have been calendared here for this year. These include three arrivals each for the month of June, July and August.

Another Royal Caribbean vessel, the Voyager of the Seas, has been scheduled to arrive here in August.

Camba said that cruise ship arrivals significantly boost local income as cruise ship passengers visit local attractions in Subic, as well as nearby communities in Olongapo City, Zambales and Bataan.

“Local communities, as well as business establishments in the Freeport, definitely earn a lot from the arrival of cruise ships because the passengers buy local products, eat at restaurants and sample local cuisine, and enjoy themselves at the various tourism establishments in and around Subic Bay Freeport Zone,” she said. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] MS Ovation of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship, docks at the Alava Wharf during its maiden port call in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday, June 8. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Subic residents and SBMA employees welcome the arrival of MS Ovation of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship, which made its maiden port call in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday, June 8. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] Dancers in colorful costume provide welcome gaiety at Alava Wharf during the arrival of MS Ovation of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship, which made its maiden port call in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday, June 8. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[4] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma welcomes a passenger from MS Ovation of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship, which made its maiden port call in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday, June 8. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[5] A throng of mostly Chinese tourists disembark from MS Ovation of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship, which made its maiden port call in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday, June 8. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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LOOK: MV World Dream arrives in Subic Bay

The cruise ship MV World Dream prepares to dock at the Alava Wharf for its maiden port call in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Wednesday morning (June 06).

Street dancers in native Ayta costume perform as they welcome the arrival of the cruise ship MV World Dream, which made its maiden port call in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Wednesday morning (June 06).

Passengers disembark from the cruise ship MV World Dream, which made its maiden port call in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Wednesday morning (June 06).

Passengers from the cruise ship MV World Dream pose for photographs with dancers in native Ayta costume following their arrival in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Wednesday morning (June 06).

Captain Jan Blomqvist of MV World Dream welcomes on board the cruise ship SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma following its maiden port call in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Wednesday morning (June 06).

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma hands over a memento to Captain Jan Blomqvist of MV World Dream following the arrival of the cruise ship for its maiden port call in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Wednesday morning (June 06).

/AMD/MPD-SBMA

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SBMA sets P135.8-M port dev’t projects to host bigger ships, boost income

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said it has commenced major infrastructure projects that would significantly develop the Port of Subic to provide better services to port users and accommodate bigger maritime vessels.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said a total of P135.8 million has been allocated for the said projects that are designed to increase the number of shipping lines visiting Subic and to boost port revenue.

“From merely a handful just a few years back, the number of commercial shipping lines regularly visiting Subic has now reached 23—and these do not include the growing number of cruise ships that are docking in Subic and bringing in tourists,” Eisma pointed out.

“With the completion of these three port projects by next year, we expect to see more attractive and more efficient port facilities, more customers coming in, and more income for the port,” she added.

According to the SBMA Seaport Department, the Subic port generated P1.17 billion in 2017, which is 3.27% higher than the P1.13 billion collected in 2016.

The commercial vessels now plying the Subic route include some of the biggest shipping lines: NYK Fil-Japan Shipping Corp., APL, Maersk Line, Evergreen Line, K Line, and Wan Hai.

Meanwhile, at least 20 cruise ships have confirmed to visit Subic this year beginning February when the Italian-flagged MV Costa Atlantica arrived with about 2,500 passengers and crew.

Bigger cruise ships with about 4,500 persons on board are expected to arrive once port facilities here are fully developed, Eisma said.

SBMA Seaport Department general manager Jerome Martinez said the port projects are contained in three packages, with fund appropriation from the SBMA and the national government.

Package 1, which has actually been completed last year, includes the repair of SBMA Seaport’s ISPS CCTV Surveillance System Phase I which covers the area of the former Naval Supply Depot, New Container Terminal, and Kalaklan Sector Light. This package cost P4.28 million and was funded by the SBMA.

Package II includes rehabilitation of port facilities and navigational equipment with the installation of 11 new navigational buoys, including the provision of tracking system for the existing navigational buoys at the Port of Subic. The project is being funded by the national government in the amount of P47.5 million and is expected to be completed next year.

Package III, also funded by the national government in the amount of P83.9 million, includes the rehabilitation of the NSD Road Network Project (Phase 2) and is expected to be finished next year.

Martinez said the CCTV surveillance system for the port will augment traffic monitoring and security surveillance in the area. “With this, port users would feel safer because they know their properties are protected 24/7 against theft, vandalism and unauthorized entry,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the new navigational buoys and tracking system will improve safety of ships, especially the gigantic Quantum-class cruise and cargo ships, as these will update ship skippers on maritime information and help determine their current position in relation to land and hidden underwater features.

Martinez said this is more necessary with the arrival in Subic of bigger cruise ships like MS World Dream, which has gross tonnage of 151,300, or the Quantum-class MS Ovation of the Seas with 168,666 gross tons. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Bigger vessels like the MS World Dream cruise ship are expected in the Subic Bay Freeport with the completion of the SBMA’s port development projects. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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