Hi Fi, Ragamuffin 90 take top honors in Rolex China Sea Race

For the second time in four years, Neil Pryde’s Welbourne 52 Hi Fi from Hong Kong has won the Rolex China Sea Race, Asia’s principal offshore event.

On Saturday morning, Hi Fi became the third boat to complete the 565-nm course from Hong Kong to Subic Bay, The Philippines following a dramatic tussle with a group of yachts, most notably Bryon Ehrhart’s TP52 Lucky from the United States. Pryde’s crew finished the race in 2 days, 21 hours, 47 minutes, enough on corrected time, with the chasing fleet becalmed, to seal overall victory.

“It was incredibly close racing,” enthused Pryde. “To be this close after so many miles is amazing. It was the same all the way down. We were never out of sight of the other boats so you could not relax one moment.”

During the final miles set against the mountainous, scenic and sunbaked approach to Subic Bay, little could separate the boats. “There were three 52-footers, ourselves, Lucky and Freefire (HKG) all neck and neck,” explained Pryde. “We were surging down the coast in good wind with an A3 spinnaker up reaching at 12 to 13 knots. It was incredibly exciting, boats kept changing positions because we had all been reading the same weather.”

With the finishing line in sight, the three crews were all seeking to make the winning tactical decision. “Lucky went around the rocks while we took the inside track. The trade off was whether there was more wind on the inside or outside,” admitted Pryde. While Lucky stole the advantage and beat Hi Fi on the water, the two minute margin was insufficient to defeat Pryde’s crew on handicap.

Pryde, a Hong Kong resident, first competed in the race in 1968 and this victory represents one of the most significant accomplishments of his illustrious sailing career. “It ranks as one of the more memorable victories we’ve had and we’ve won a lot of races,” said Pryde. “It means a lot to me, over the past few years I’ve not done a lot of sailing because I’ve had some health issues so to go out and still prove we can do it is a big thing for me personally. Yacht racing has been part of my life for sixty odd years. I’ve never cruised, I’ve always raced. It’s what I do.”

Australian Syd Fischer had taken line honours with his Maxi Ragamuffin 90 on Friday evening, finishing in a time of 57 hours, 31 minutes and 18 seconds.

By 18:00 local time on Sunday evening, 26 of the 34 competing yachts had completed the race and there had been only one retirement. (Scuttlebutt Sailing News)

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2014/04/20/hi-fi-ragamuffin-90-take-top-honors-rolex-china-sea-race/#prettyPhoto

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Elite triathletes join Subic international tilt

THE stage is set for a battle royale among elite triathletes from several countries seeking ITU and ASTC Asian Cup qualification points as the second day of action of the K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon commences at 5:45 a.m. This Sunday at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Expected to strive hard for the Elite Male title are Japan’s Kohei Shimomura (ITU rank no. 142), Jordan’s Fanous Lawrence (ranked 156th) Hong Kong’s Perry Wong (ranked 180th), Korea’s 2012 Olympian Min Ho Heo and Azerbaijan’s Alexander Iatcenko.

Jonard Saim, who recently won the AboitizTRI2014 event a few weeks back, is the Philippines’ only bet among the elites.

In the distaff side of the event sponsored by K-Swiss, Century Tuna, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission and supported by Harbor Point, Ayala Malls, Canon, Traveler’s Hotel, Blackbeard’s Seafood Island, Asian Center for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, SPEEDO, Standard Insurance, and Green Triathlon, Japan’s Hideko Kikuchi (ranked 97th) will be facing off with Macau’s Hoi Long (2010 Asian Games triathlon 4th placer) and her fellow compatriot Chika Sato (ranked121st).

All Standard Distance (1.5kilometer swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run) competitions, including the Under-23,age-groups and triathlon club will take place on Sunday.

The 1.5 Km swim is set off the NCT Junction with the first transition area located nearby. From there, the 40-Km bike will stretch out along Argonaut Highway and conclude at the second transition area located at Harbor Point Ayala Mall.

The redesigned 10-Km run this year will course through the central business district, with the finish line set at the grounds of Harbor Point Ayala Mall.

The K-Swiss ITU SUBIT is a five-in-one event, where elite triathletes can compete for ITU and Asian Cup points, while local triathletes can qualify for consideration in the National Pool as well as opportunities to represent the Philippines in future competitions overseas. (MST Sports)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/04/24/elite-triathletes-join-subic-international-tilt/

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Romeros deny any illegality in Subic deal

The camp of the Romeros of the Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) yesterday denied they had committed any illegality in its deal to develop Subic Bay, claiming they were only victims of black propaganda by losing bidders who have been responsible for transforming the once glorious port into its current sordid state.

In a statement, lawyer Carlo Solis, head of the Administration Division of HCPTI said that their company had envisioned Subic to be a world-class seaport capable of handling large volume of cargoes and ships, not like its current state where neglect and disrepair are evident.

“That was what HCPTI had set out to do but for which we had found ourselves unjustly and unduly hailed to court,” Solis said.

Solis lamented it has been disheartening that HCPTI ended up being at the receiving end of baseless accusations for trying to develop Subic into a fully functioning and modern hub for shipping operations.

“All records would show that the HCPTI proposal to modernize Subic ports underwent rigorous government scrutiny and bidding process pursuant to the guidelines and procedures for entering into JVAs between government and private entities issued by the Neda. HCPTI not only followed all the rules and complied with the strict government standards and regulations, records will show that it also complied with additional requirements imposed by the SBMA Board,” Solis stressed.

Last week, Reghis Romero II and son, Michael Romero, chairman and chief executive officer, respectively, of HCPTI along with a list of former officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) were ordered indicted by the Ombudsman regarding a joint venture agreement between SBMA and Harbour Centre to develop and maintain ports and wharves at Subic Bay.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the individuals charged for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act 3019.

Based on a resolution of the Ombudsman approved April 7, Morales recommended the prosecution of the Romeros along with former SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga, former administrator and CEO Armand Arreza, senior deputy administrator Ramon Agregado, former Senior Deputy Administrator Ferdinand Hernandez, former Deputy Administrator Ma. Cristina Millan, deputy administrator Marcelino Sanqui, former board member Edralino Cajudo, former board member Antonio Rex Chan, former board members Ricardo Coscolluela, Angelita DJ Cruz, Teodoro del Rosario, Jorge Estanislao, Ma. Angela Garcia, James Lorenzana, Ma. Victoria Pineda, Stefani Saño, Jennifer Khonghun-Ting and Eddie Tamondong.

The 32-page joint resolution stated that the SBMA officials “displayed manifest partiality and evident bad faith in the performance of their functions.”

It cited the guidelines issued by the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) that a joint venture agreement (JVA) shall only be executed after the conduct of the competitive challenge (bidding) where a private sector participant has been declared winner and issued a notice of award. (Charlie V. Manalo, The Daily Tribune)

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/romeros-deny-any-illegality-in-subic-deal

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Visually impaired bets join Subic tilt

A TRIO of visually impaired paratriathletes will be leading a crack team from Japan to engage challengers from Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines in the Paratriathlon Asian Championships event of the long-running K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon, which will kick off at 7:20 a.m. on April 26 at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Japan is fielding visually impaired Ryu Nakazawa, Toshihiro Shirae and Atsuko Yamadain the sprint distance paratriathlon competition (750 meter swimming, 20kilometer biking and 5 kilometer running), together with teammates ShingoKuboyama, Noboyulki Domon, Toshio Furuhata and Miho Hamada.

Others competing for the paratriathlon titles, include Jun Ha Lee (Korea); 2013 SUBIT paratriathlon gold medallist Andy Avellana (Philippines); Godfrey Taberna (Philippines) and 2013 SUBIT paratriathlon silver medallist Sixto Ducay (Philippines).

Adding importance to the longest-running Olympic distance international triathlon in Asia, sponsored by K-Swiss, Century Tuna, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission and supported Harbor Point, Ayala Malls, Canon, Traveler’s Hotel, Blackbeard’s Seafood Island, Asian Center for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, SPEEDO, Standard Insurance, and Green Triathlon is the presence of ITU (International Triathlon Union) classifiers Marguerite Christophers and Peter Steggall, who will determine the paratriathletes’ categories on April 24 and 25.

The 2014 Asian Paratriathlon Championships is part of the Asian Triathlon Confederation and Triathlon ssociation of the Philippines’ efforts to promote paratriathlon, with participation in the 2016 Paralympics in mind.

As of April 19, close to 1,000 participants have signed up for the K-Swiss ITU SUBIT.

Among them are 20 clubs vying for the Inter-Club Competition title, and over 600 age-group triathletes in the Olympic distance aiming for the National Age-Group championship titles and the right to represent the country in the 2014 World Age-Group Championships to be hosted in Canada. (MST Sports)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/mobile/2014/04/21/visually-impaired-bets-join-subic-tilt/

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Criminal raps ordered vs HCPTI’s Romeros

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Monday ordered the filing of criminal charges against Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) Chairman Reghis Romero II and Chief Executive Officer Michael Romero.

In a resolution approved on April 7, Morales said that besides Reghis and Michael, she ordered the filing of information against 18 officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

According to Morales, on February 24, 2010, the SBMA entered into joint-venture agreement (JVA) with HCPTI for the development, operation and management of the Naval Supply Depot and the ports in Boton, Alava, Rivera and Bravo.

“The Terms of Reference granted it concession as exclusive port operator of the five ports and exclusive cargo handling for foreign and domestic break-bulk and bulk cargoes for the entire zone. In exchange, the SBMA stood to receive a fixed and guaranteed share of $32,000,000 for the 25-year agreement, as well as a variable revenue share,” she said.

The case stemmed from separate complaints filed by port operators Amerasia International Terminal Services Inc. (AITSI) and Subic Seaport Terminal Inc. (SSTI), which contested the award to HCPTI.

The Ombudsman determined that as officers and beneficial owners, Reghis and Michael Romero were at the receiving end of the unwarranted benefits as they failed to show that the company was legally entitled to its grant.

“Respondents’ above-described acts readily show that they acted in conspiracy, that is, they came to an agreement concerning the commission of a felony and decided to commit it,” the resolution said.

However, Reghis and Michael Romero’s other criminal charges for violation of Section 3 (g) and (j) of Republic Act (RA) 3019, and Article 186 (Monopolies and Combinations in Restraint of Trade) of the Revised Penal Code were dismissed for lack of merit.

For the SBMA, Morales ordered the filing of an information for violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019 against former SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, former Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Armand Arreza, Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado, former Senior Deputy Administrator Ferdinand Hernandez, former Deputy Administrator Ma. Cristina Millan, Deputy Administrator Marcelino Sanqui, former Board Members Edralino Cajudo, Member Antonio Rex Chan, Ricardo Coscolluela, Angelita DJ Cruz and Teodoro del Rosario.

Also included as respondents are former Board Members Jorge Estanislao, Ma. Angela Garcia, James Lorenzana, Ma. Victoria Pineda, Stefani Saño, Jennifer Khonghun-Ting and Eddie Tamondong.

Morales said the SBMA officials “displayed manifest partiality and evident bad faith in the performance of their functions.”

The resolution cited the guidelines issued by the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) that a JVA shall only be executed after the conduct of the competitive challenge (bidding) where a private-sector participant has been declared winner and issued a Notice of Award. It also noted that the SBMA resorted to procedural shortcuts and undertook material deviations, including changes in the eligibility requirements.

Morales also said she found that the SBMA pegged the project cost at only P763 million to allow HCPTI to post a lower bid security of P15.26 million, even if the original cost of the JVA was set at P5.537 billion, which should have required a bid security of P100 million.

“By changing the project cost after the publication of the Invitation to Submit Comparative Proposals and imposing additional eligibility requirements, it appears that respondents manipulated the process by enabling HCPTI to post a significantly lower bid security and, at the same time, discouraging prospective JV partners from participating in the competitive challenge by imposing conditions for participation based on the higher project cost,” the resolution explained.

Meanwhile, in a 20-page decision on the administrative aspect of the AITSI complaint, Morales said she found the commission of grave misconduct and ordered the dismissal from the service of Agregado, Sanqui and Salonga with the accessory penalties of absolute disqualification from holding any public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits, cancellation of civil service eligibility, and bar from taking any civil service examination.

The same principal penalty would have been imposed on Arreza, Millan, Cajudo, Coscolluela, Cruz, del Rosario, Estanislao, Lorenzana, Pineda, Saño, Ting and Tamondong had they not been separated from the service during the pendency of the case. They were, however, each ordered to pay a fine equivalent to their salary for one year deductible from their retirement benefits, accrued leave credits and other receivables, aside from facing the same accessory penalties.

The Ombudsman, however, said the administrative case against Hernandez, Chan and Garcia was dismissed in view of their separation from the service prior to the filing of the case.

The second administrative case for violation of Section 5(a) of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) was dismissed for lack of merit, in a separate seven-page decision on the administrative aspect of the SSTI complaint. (Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz, Business Mirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/top-news/30636-criminal-raps-ordered-vs-hcpti-s-romeros

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Special lane, weeklong program await Subic visitors during Holy Week

In anticipation of the increased volume of visitors driving to the Subic Bay Freeport this Holy Week, the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) will be implementing an integrated toll fee payments starting April 16.

Under this scheme, all vehicles going to the Subic Freeport using the Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) will pay the combined toll fees for SFEX and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) at the SCTEX Tipo collection plaza from April 16 to the 20.

MNTC, which operates SFEX, SCTEX and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), said the special privilege for Subic-bound motorists is in response to a request of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for a designated special lane.

“We have been implementing this annually, basically to address the concern of SBMA,” MNTC said.

The temporary toll fee collection system is expected to free the motorists of hassles brought about by long lines of vehicles at the toll plaza during the peak of the Lenten Season.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the with the anticipated influx of vehicular traffic in Subic this summer vacation, especially during the Holy Week, the integrated toll fees system “will provide comfortable travel experience for motorists going to Subic.”

He also expressed his appreciation to the MNTC management for its support.

Garcia also said that the Subic Bay Freeport community has prepared a week-long program of activities for visitors to Subic to have a meaningful Holy Week observance while enjoying the Freeport's best facilities and services.

The SBMA official, however, noted that almost all of the hotels and housing facilities in the Freeport area have already been fully booked for the summer vacation, as most of the rooms have been reserved as early as January.

The week-long Lenten program in Subic will start on April 13, or Palm Sunday, with the reenactment of the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem.

This will be followed by “Pabasa sa Freeport,” the chanting of life, passion and death of Jesus Christ starting on Holy Monday (April 14-15), procession on Holy Wednesday, Grand Procession on Good Friday, “Salubong” on Easter Sunday, and the Stations of the Cross and the Veneration of the Cross.

A free musical healing concert dubbed “The Mysteries of Sorrows and Five Wounds of Jesus” organized by the Bethesda Spring of Hope ministry for Good Friday will feature Karylle and Yael Yuzon of Spongecola, Boots Anson Roa, Jose Mari Chan, Tina Monzon-Palma, Ku Aquino, Gino Padilla and many others at Subic’s Boardwalk area.

On the Black Saturday, visitors will be treated to the opening of food, souvenir and specialty shops at the Boardwalk area, followed by the grand championship round for dance and acoustic band competitions.

To cap the Holy Week activities, the SBMA will be offering the Subic Bay Easter Egg Hunt for children after the morning mass on Sunday at the San Roque Chapel. Gifts, awards and other surprises donated by Freeport businessmen await lucky egg hunters. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA probes looting of historical shipwreck

ZAMBALES, Philippines – Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) ordered an investigation into reports that there was massive looting of a historical shipwreck here, with the agency's own harbor patrol officers allegedly protecting the perpetrators.

SBMA Chair Roberto Garcia told reporters that the SBMA's Law Enforcement Department (LED) had called members of the harbor patrol unit who were manning the Subic diving site during the reported illegal salvage operations. They took place near the shoreline between Grande Island and Chiquita Island on March 19 and 20.

Subic, former host to a United States military base, is also the site of perhaps the biggest number of sunken Japanese ships since World War II – ranging from 10 to 25, according to various accounts. The local government has been promoting wreck diving to attract tourist.

Locals said the ship whose parts were reportedly taken by looters was said to be a "sister ship" of the San Quentin, a wooden gunboat that sank in 1898, and is the oldest known wreck in Subic.

"We are gathering statements [of these harbor patrols] for them to finally answer [the allegations]," Garcia said, adding that they would not spare anyone who would be found guilty.

According to him, SBMA has already tapped all concerned agencies, such as the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Regional Maritime Unit here to help the agency stop the incidents of looting.

He said they are also urging the Subic divers to help them in solving this problem.

"We will coordinate with the Subic divers and work out an arrangement [to deal with this issue]," Garcia said.

On Monday, police filed charges against 5 men who were caught carrying out unauthorized salvage of vessels and wrecks.

The looting incident was reported by members of the Subic Bay Diving Association, headed by Scott Sharpe.

The suspected looters were identified as Danilo Casapao, 46; Junel Rivera, 31; Armando Salazar, 41; Manuel Casapao, 44; and Michael Eduarte, 37. All were from Barangay Mabayo, Morong, Bataan and remained at large. (Randy V. Datu, Rappler.com)

http://www.rappler.com/nation/54163-sbma-probes-historical-shipwreck-looting

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TATAP hosts GAC Tour

THE Table Tennis Association of the Philippines will host the GAC Group World Tour 2014 Philippine Open on May 15­18 at  the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Table tennis chief Ting Ledesma said the international tournament has attracted more than 180 players from 40 countries  all over the world.

"It is really a great pleasure to host an international competition like the World Tour," said Ledesma, a former national player. "We are expecting the world's toughest table tennis players to compete in the four-day competition."

National players Richard Gonzales, Nash Jacolo, Jamaica Sy, Rodel Valle, Ian Lariba, Sendrina Balatbat, Walden Ledesma,  Annabelle Commendador, Rommelia Princess Tambo and Stephen Andrew Timson will be up against the foreign entries.

"I would like to thank Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, particularly chairman Roberto Garcia, for letting us
use the  venue and facility for free," said Ledesma. "They really wanted to help us developing table tennis."

Interested parties have until April 15 to register. (Manila Times)

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Hanjin starts building VLCCs, rolls off three more ships

Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction’s shipyard in Subic Bay will start building Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) for the first time.

Navig8 has ordered four 300,000 dwt VLCCs there while another unspecified European owner has committed to build two more.

The 300,000 dwt newbuilding measures 333 m in length, 60 m in breadth with 30 m of height.

The ships will start delivering in the second half of 2016. Hanjin’s Subic yard is now busy through to 2017. Hanjin’s own yard in Busan is too small to handle ships of VLCC size.

New Ships

Meanwhile, three newly built container vessels were rolled off at the Korean shipbuilding facility.

The vessels were ordered by the German shipping company Bernhard Schulte Gmbh and Co. KG last week.

The order for these three 5,400 TEU Container Class Carriers is due to the growing number of German manufacturing orders in February, mostly coming from domestic orders.

Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction–Philippines (HHIC-Phil Inc.) held the unveiling at their state-of-the-art shipyard facility in Subic as the three vessels were christened as M/V Christ Schulte, M/V Clemens Schulte, and M/V Carl Schulte. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

http://seashipnews.com/News/Hanjin%E2%80%99s-Subic-yard-starts-VLCC-construction/3w3c2077.html

http://www.mb.com.ph/national-newsbits-for-april-8-2014/

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2 rescued dolphins in Subic marine park doing well (video)

Valentina and Scarlett, two spinner dolphins under the care of Ocean Adventure Marine Park here are showing signs of recovery.

"Valentina," a young adult spinner dolphin, was found beached on the eve of Valentine's Day with an old shark bite wound in Ilocos Norte; while "Scarlett", an adult dolphin, so named  because she was found beached and wounded in an area in Masinloc, near Scarborough Shoal.

Ocean Adventure marine operations director Carlo Magno said both dolphins suffered from acoustic trauma that caused impairment of navigational senses and loss of buoyancy. Both are believed to have been injured by blast fishing.

According to Magno, after almost three weeks in rehab, Valentina is doing very well and can swim on her own, while Scarlett has just been transferred from the round pool to join Valentina in the deeper sea pen. Scarlett’s blood picture and buoyancy has also improved.

Both dolphins were turned over to Ocean Adventure for rehabilitation because it is the only center in the entire country that provides 24/7 rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals in partnership with a Norwegian maritime training facility here, the International Development and Environmental Shipping School (IDESS).

Magno added that they are still in need of volunteers to look after the progress of the dolphins’ rehabilitation.

Early this week, an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin they named “Phina” was added under the care of marine mammal health experts in Ocean Adventure after she was found stranded in Balanga, Bataan manifesting weakness, loss of buoyancy and appetite. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

video: DMS

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Subic Freeport all set for Holy Week

Subic is all set for the upcoming summer holiday, as it plays host to several events organized by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Freeport business locators to ensure a meaningful and enjoyable observance of the Holy Week here.

According to the SBMA Tourism Department, religious activities for the Holy Week will kick off with the “Blessing of the Palms” on April 13, to be followed the next day by the traditional “Pabasa”, which will run until April 16 at Subic By's San Roque Chapel.

A procession will be held on Holy Wednesday, while a re-enactment of the Last Supper will highlight of Maundy Thursday.

On Good Friday, devotees can join the guided “Way of the Cross” at the Holy Land Subic theme park in the morning and the “Veneration of the Cross” at the San Roque Chapel in the afternoon. There will also be the traditional Good Friday grand procession, which will go around the Freeport's central business district.

Meanwhile, the Bethesda Springs of Hope Ministry will hold its annual healing prayer and musical concert at the Boardwalk Park, featuring singers Karylle, Yael Yuzon, Gino Padilla and Jose Mari Chan. The event will also have actress Boots Anson-Roa and broadcaster Tina Monson-Palma as guests.

On Black Saturday, religious activities will include the “Blessing of Fire” and the Easter vigil mass at the San Roque Chapel.

Easter Sunday will start with the traditional “salubong” and Easter mass, followed by an Easter egg hunt at the San Roque Chapel grounds.

Apart from the usual religious activities slated for the Holy Week, visitors will also be treated to various contemporary fun events at the Subic Bay Freeport.

These include a group-dance competition at the Boardwalk Park on April 16, and a musical show headlining local bands and DJs until April 17.

On April 19, a concert featuring the Incre-T-Booms and Jireh Lim, as well as dance and acoustic band competitions will be held at the Boardwalk Park.

A food bazaar will also open to serve tourists visiting the Boardwalk Park area from April 16 to April 20. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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2014 Commodore's Cup Regatta set on April 22 to 26

Big boats and ocean multihulls will set sail on April 22 to 26 to compete in this year's Commodore's Cup Regatta in Subic Bay.

The race is organised by the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS) Club, in conjunction with the Lighthouse Marina Resort, Watercraft Ventures, Inc. and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) under the auspices of the Philippine Sailing Association.

This year the Subic Commodore's Cup will include four days of racing for Flying Fifteens, dinghies, Hobie 16s and windsurfers simultanous with the Rolex China Sea Race fleet is en route Hong Kong-Philippines. Big Boats will take over for a further four days of racing in the sparkling environs of Subic Bay.

Organizers consider Subic Bay truly a first class spot for regatta, with its deep waters, airport, dockyards, and the presence of Subic Bay Yacht Club. Organisers hope that boats sailing in the Hong Kong to Subic Rolex China Sea Race will 'stay an extra day' and participate in the Commodore's Cup.

For more of this story: http://www.sail-world.com/Asia/Subic-Commodores-Cup-expands/120541

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Aviation Concepts adds a corporate 757 to its growing fleet in Subic Bay

Aviation Concepts Incorporated (ACI) is expanding its managed fleet at the Subic Bay International Airport with the addition of a Corporate 757 aircraft.

The Boeing 757 will be operated as a private category aircraft and will perform VIP flights. ACI will provide full operational support, with Aviation Concepts Technical Services, Incorporated (ACTSI) handling hangarage, maintenance, and cleaning for this aircraft.

Terry Habeck, Chief Excutive Officer of both companies said the addition of the Boeing 757 corporate aircraft is an exciting opportunity for ACI.

"We have the infrastructure and resources in place to safely support the operations and maintenance of this aircraft. Our Subic Bay, Philippines facility was once home to the United States Navy and then Federal Express. The 757 will fit easily in one fifth of our hangar, leaving ample room for additional aircraft. The close proximity to Hong Kong and lower costs has given Subic Bay a regional advantage over other airports," Habeck said.

Habeck pointed out that clients wanting an alternative to the overcrowded and expensive China and Hong Kong airports have found Subic Bay to be an aviation paradise and a great solution for their aviation needs. "The environment in Hong Kong and many Mainland China airports is corrosive due to pollution and acid rain."

The Group has seen continuous growth in both in operations and maintenance. "We have the only business jet facility in Asia that can easily house a large aircraft such as this Corporate 757. Our highly trained and experienced engineers and ground staff will perform the maintenance and cleaning onsite, which will save the owner a tremendous amount of time and money," Habeck added.

ACI/ACTSI currently has hangars in Guam, USA, Tokyo, Japan, and Subic Bay, Philippines, as well as operations offices in Manila and Hong Kong.

ACI anticipates further growth in both the private and charter fleets. The company moved its headquarters from Southern California to Asia nearly 15 years ago in anticipation of the regional growth.

ACI has managed aircraft based all over Asia and has formed relationships and partnerships that continue to support the company's vision for world-class service and in keeping with industry best practices. The company has a robust safety management system that underscores our commitment to keeping clients, staff and industry colleagues safe and secure.

ACTSI provides a level of service that is based upon proactive and preventive maintenance support that is difficult to obtain in Asia. ACTSI also offers long term hangarage for the ultimate in asset protection for less the cost of parking outside in Hong Kong and China. The cost of moving an aircraft to Subic Bay for maintenance or hangarage is often offset by pure saving alone.

http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/198518108/aviation-concepts-incorporated-adds-a-corporate-757-to-it-s-growing-fleet

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Shippers, carriers look at Subic port more closely. Lines enter into co-­loading arrangement; port volume up in 01

THERE is growing interest in the use of Subic container port following the imposition of the Manila truck ban in late February that led to massive delays in cargo deliveries.

A number of Philippine Exporters Confederation members from Region III (Central Luzon) visited the port on March 27 to take a closer look at the facility, according to PortCalls sources.

International shipping lines also seem to be paying the port more attention. Recently Japanese shipping line NYK entered into a co-­loading arrangement with APL, while Bengal Tiger Line will soon be co­-loading with Wan Hai.

Sources said the number of slots under the co-­loading arrangements is not yet fixed with NYK and Bengal Tiger still testing the waters.

APL, the container line of Singapore-­based NOL, and Wan Hai, a Taiwanese regional carrier, are the two carriers regularly calling Subic port.

A source from Bengal Tiger told PortCalls it is working on a co­-loading agreement with Wan Hai on the Subic­Kaohsiung sector.

Higher box throughput

Against this backdrop, Subic's New Container Terminal 1 (NCT1), operated by Subic Bay International Terminal Corp (SBITC), is showing strong growth in throughput.

From January to the third week of March 2014, NCT1 recorded a 17.63% uptick in volume to 8,448 twenty equivalent units (TEUs) from 7,181.75 TEUs year ­on ­year, according to data provided by SBITC.

For the full year 2013, NCT1 handled a total of 34,847 twenty equivalent units (TEUs) with an average monthly volume of 2,903.92 TEUs.

Based on an earlier Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) report, containerized cargo (both for NCT 1 and the other Subic terminal, NCT 2) rose 3.2% to 37,460 TEUs in 2013 from 36,304 TEUs in 2012. Non- ­ containerized cargo grew 8.6% from 2.21 million metric tons from 2.4 mmt in 2012.

NCT1 and NCT 2 each have an annual capacity of 300,000 TEUs. Savings for Clark shippers.

Meantime, SBITC said Subic port offers big savings for users. Locators and shippers from nearby
Clark freeport in Pampanga, for instance, can save as much as 53 % in arrastre charges if they use the facility.

In a presentation, SBITC said for import cargoes, the locators can save up to 52.93% or Pl,967.40perTEU and 53.05% or P4,536.64 per forty­foot equivalent unit (FEU) in arrastre charges versus the cost of similar services in Manila ports.

SBITC's arrastre charges for import cargoes are PI,749.60 per TEU and P4,014.36 per FEU compared with the P3,717 per TEU and P8,551 per FEU rates in Manila.

For wharfage of import cargo boxes, a TEU saves 3.57% or P20.77 while an FEU also saves 3.57% or P31.17. Wharfage of each 40­footer export container in Manila is P437.98 and in Subic, P422.33.

For exports, SBITC's PI,428.84 per TEU and P3,280.50 per FEU saves 53.05% or PI,614.16 per TEU and 53.06% or P3,708.50 per FEU on arrastre, compared with Manila's P3,043 per TEU and P6,989 per FEU.

SBITC also offers 10 days of extra free storage, five each for imports and exports, compared with Manila's five days of free storage.

The port operator also said Manila adds 12% value­-added tax on all its charges while SBITC does not. (Roumina M. Pablo, PortCalls)

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Looters may have first discovered shipwreck

Subic Bay’s diving community is aghast over what they claim is rampant looting in one of the unidentified and recently found shipwreck near the Grande Island.

The newly found shipwreck, some 200 meters from Grande Island’s shorelines, was being identified, measured and verified by the National Museum of the Philippines yesterday to confirm whether or not it is the sister vessel of Spanish Galleon San Quentin.

Five people from the town of Morong, Bataan were held this week PNP Maritime police on suspicion that they were looting the new found shipwreck but were later released due to lack of evidence.

The police filed charges against Manuel Casapao, Danilo Casapao, Michael Eduarte, Junel Rivera, and Armando Salazar for looting at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Balanga City on Tuesday.

The police found equipment from the dive site such as compressors, hoses, barrels, and a diesel engine.

Meanwhile, divers from the National Museum of the Philippines gathered information of the newfound shipwreck and will file their report to the Ecology Department of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

According to Subic Bay Divers Association president Scott Sharpe, the find might be the oldest sunken shipwreck in Subic Bay.

He added that some divers discovered the looting on March 19, after they found looting equipment near the area.

There are more than 10 dive sites in Subic Bay that have mesmerized many scuba divers in the country. Shipwrecks such as Oryoku Maru, Seiun Maru, USS New York and El Capitan are some of the famous dive sites here. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/looters-may-have-first-discovered-shipwreck/

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