Port of Subic Bay all set to host the 23rd INAP conference

This premier freeport is all set as the Port of Subic Bay takes its turn to host the 23rd International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) Conference on October 16.

INAP Subic Organizing Committee chairman and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Deputy Administrator for Operations Martin Kristoffer Roman explained that INAP is an organization of ports established in Japan in 1998, with Subic port as one of the founding members. 

Roman added that the two-day conference is held annually and is currently being hosted by the incoming INAP chairman's home port. 

With this year's theme, “Promoting Resiliency and Disaster Preparedness,” the Heads of Ports are expected to share their best practices in port and environmental management, to promote mutually beneficial opportunities for all the ports, especially the member ports.

Member ports, namely the ports of Cebu and Davao, Philippines; the port of Chittagong, Bangladesh; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Dangjin, South Korea; Mokpo, Korea; Kochi, Japan; Qingdao, China; and Tanjung Perak, Indonesia, are also sharing their best practices with respect to environmental protection and disaster preparedness. 

Delegates from Thailand and Vietnam will also attend the conference to observe the benefits of INAP membership.

"As for the Port of Subic Bay, we will be sharing emerging and green technologies, that will help reduce carbon footprints, and similar projects, whether completed or upcoming," INAP Subic Organizing Committee vice chairman and Seaport Assistant General Manager  Philip Lazaro said. 

Also highlighting the conference will be the formal turnover of INAP leadership from Port of Kochi, Japan to Port of Subic Bay. 

The INAP conference will also include a tree-planting activity of the Heads of Ports, a few plant tours, and a bay cruise on the waters of Subic Bay. 

Roman also expressed his gratitude to the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC), Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services Inc., and La Banca for the invaluable partnership and active participation in the smooth planning of activities for the 23rd INAPconference. 

Around 300 stakeholders, port users, residents, other locators, and neighboring local government units will be joining the 58 delegates from the member ports expected to participate in the symposium. 

In 2014, the Port of Subic Bay also hosted the INAP conference. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Subic to host INAP conference in October

The country’s premier Freeport will once again be hosting the INAP General Assembly and Symposium 2024 this October. 

This came after the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) and Port of Kochi officials led by Chief Takanori Asai paid a courtesy visit to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño.

 

Aliño said that the agency and INAP are already discussing plans of holding the conference here anchored on environmental maritime protection and disaster preparedness.

“As one of the founding members of INAP, it will be our honor to host this year’s assembly and welcome old and new faces to our shores. We endeavor to showcase not only our port and maritime facilities, but more importantly, to extend our famous hospitality, culture and friendship,” Aliño said.

He cited that environmental maritime protection and disaster preparedness is a very timely topic to discuss, adding that a shared discussion between the ports on these topics would benefit all members.

INAP members include the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Port of Dangjin and Mokpo New Port in South Korea, Port of Kochi in Japan, Port of Qingdao in China, Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Port of Chittagong in Bangladesh, and Port of Subic Bay, Port of Cebu, and Port of Davao (Philippine Ports Authority) in the Philippines. 

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Ronnie Yambao delegated Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Atty. Martin Kristoffer Roman to take the lead in organizing the symposium, including the approval of theme and program itinerary. 

He added that the two-day symposium will be held tentatively on October 23 and 24, which will commence with the general assembly on the first day and a day tour around Subic Bay Freeport.

Chairman Aliño said that it has been ten years since the SBMA hosted the INAP General Assembly and Symposium, and that it would be beneficial to the delegates to see the new facilities and developments in the Port of Subic.

“The last time Subic Bay Freeport hosted INAP was in November of 2014 wherein more than 200 invited guests from the maritime industry attended the conference. Hopefully, more guests will arrive to take part in the general assembly,” Aliño said.

Founded in 1998, INAP was formed to promote cooperation and information exchange among affiliated ports, enhancing the port network, integrating individual affiliates, exchanging information on port development, and strengthening economic and cultural relationships. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Asian ports meet in Subic to strengthen regional integration

Leaders and delegates from eight major ports in Asia are meeting at the Port of Subic for the three-day 16th General Assembly and Symposium of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP), which began Wednesday.

The delegates came from the INAP-member ports of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Mokpo New Port and Dangjin in South Korea, Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Qingdao in China, and Subic and Cebu in the Philippines.

With the theme, “Opportunities of ASEAN Integration,” the gathering focuses on port innovations, as well as mutual opportunities for increased competitiveness, productivity, and cooperation.

The meeting also paved the way for outgoing INAP chairman Gov. Masanao Ozaki of the Kochi Prefecture in Japan to officially turn over the INAP leadership to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia.

As head of the host port, Garcia opened the conference, pointing out that the event is very important, not only for the Philippines, but also for all the ASEAN countries that rely on their ports for increased commerce.

“As with the theme, we should take advantage of the opportunities of ASEAN integration and explore the business opportunities each port and host city is ready to offer,” Garcia said.

Garcia added that the Port of Subic is eyeing a major role in Philippine shipping after President Aquino declared Subic and the Port of Batangas as extensions of the Port of Manila, which has long suffered from port congestion.

Presenting the Subic Bay Freeport’s role in the ASEAN Integration, SBMA OIC-deputy administrator for business and investment group Ronnie Yambao noted that the Subic Freeport is being utilized as a manufacturing base and logistics center by local and foreign investors from the region.

He added that Subic, along with other Asian ports, has joined the Asian Cruise Terminals Association (ACTA), which is considered a strategic move to attract major cruise ships plying the Asian tourism route.

“With these developments, the Port of Subic is playing key roles in the ASEAN integration by serving as transshipment hub in this part of the region,” Yambao added.

Meanwhile, Prof. Paolo Jamil Francisco of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) who talked about ASEAN integration, said that the concept is becoming accepted by ASEAN countries and is now being practiced by many investors and manufacturers.

Francisco cited as an example a popular car manufacturer, which produces parts in various ASEAN countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Francisco urged the attending INAP members to cooperate with the government, “co-opete” (compete-cooperate) with other firms, consolidate capabilities and strengths, and take advantage of the challenge.

“While competing with other firms, everyone must cooperate with them on how to improve their products, and meet the required materials and supplies,” he said.

Francisco’s statement was supported by Roberto Locsin, general manager of Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC), saying two Japanese companies are now shipping cargoes via Subic as a result of the congestion in the Port of Manila. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (middle) links arms with other leaders of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) in front of the iconic Spanish Gate during the opening of the 16th INAP General Assembly and Symposium at the Subic Bay Freeport.  The three-day conference will focus on port innovations and the promotion of competitiveness, productivity and regional cooperation. (AED)

Read More

INAP members meet in Subic Freeport for greater cooperation

Regional port innovations for mutual opportunities and cooperation will be the main focus for members of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) when they meet at the Port of Subic for the 16th General Assembly and Symposium on November 11-13.

At this year's conference to be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), representatives of each of the seven member-ports are expected to present and discuss current and future developments in their respective areas.

On the other hand, port-related topics will be discussed by invited speakers, such as Green Port Initiative by Luis Cuison, manager of the Port of Puerto Princesa; Port Security by Roland Recomono, administrator of the Office of Transport Security-DOTC; and Lessons on Coastal Disasters by Ryuichi Kuwajima of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The conference will also pave way for Chairman Roberto Garcia of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), which manages the Port of Subic, to officially accept the INAP chairmanship for 2014, replacing Governor Masanao Ozaki of the Kochi Prefecture Government in Japan.

“We are honored to accept the chairmanship of INAP and host this very important conference of heads of ports in the region for the third time,” Garcia said.

He noted that Subic is all ready to host the three-day activity that is expected to fortify cooperation among member ports to promote competitiveness and productivity.

INAP was formed in 1998 with the primary objective of enhancing the port network, integrating individual affiliates, exchanging information on port development, and strengthening economic and cultural relationships.

Upon entering INAP, new members are required to establish a sister-port or -city relationship with any of the members.

At this year's conference, a total of 83 delegates from all member ports will be arriving in Subic for the three-day assembly, with the Port of Kochi (Japan) sending the biggest delegation.

Other member-ports include Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Mokpo New Port, South Korea; Port of Tanjung Perak, Indonesia; Port of Qingdao, China, and the Port of Subic and Port of Cebu in the Philippines.

The newest entry to the INAP roster, the Port of Dangjin in South Korean, will officially be accepted as the eighth member during the assembly and make its own presentation. The mayor of Dangjin City is expected to head the delegation to Subic.

During the assembly, officials from the Port of Subic will also have the opportunity to promote the area as an investment destination during the scheduled two break-out business sessions with the Port of Mokpo and the Port of Kochi. SBMA officials said this would be a milestone for the Port of Subic.

While in Subic, delegates and representatives will be treated by the SBMA to a tour of the Freeport, a welcome dinner at the Light House Marina Resort, and a farewell dinner at the Subic Bay Yacht Club. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

SBMA chair urges Asian ports to explore new ways to gain growth

Citing the unprecedented growth in revenue at the Subic seaport despite the current economic slowdown, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Feliciano Salonga challenged Asian ports to find new opportunities amid the ongoing crisis.

Salonga, who opened the 11th general assembly of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) in Mokpo, South Korea as outgoing chairman, also underscored the importance of INAP’s strategic alliance, saying its policies and actions “impact on the entire maritime port industry of the Asia-Pacific region.”

“The (maritime) industry operates in a global environment and grows or shrinks proportionately with trade activities all over the world,” Salonga noted in his statement at the opening of the assembly.

“But the proverbial silver lining behind today’s economic slump is the fact that while every crisis is different, all crises have one thing in common – and that is, they all create opportunities, especially for those who can identify them and are ready to act,” he added.

Salonga said the Port of Subic, which had lately become a choice anchorage for international seagoing vessels waiting out the recession, provides a good example of how opportunities could be created out of “unfortunate events.”

He said collections from vessel lay-ups in Subic Bay, as well as wharfage fees on imported products brought Subic seaport’s revenue total in the first seven months this year to P319.73 million. This amount was P3.43 million more than the revenue target set by the SBMA for this year, and represented a 15.7 percent growth over the 2008 figures.

“Our port collection from these laid-up ships, along with other equally significant factors, has allowed our seaport operations to achieve its revenue targets for 2009, as early as July,” said Salonga.

“So, today’s economic crisis should not be any different – if we attack it with logical examination, passionate zeal and decisiveness,” he also told INAP members.

Salonga likewise exhorted members of the port network “to re-establish priorities by taking a fresh look at how to manage the fiscal and operational aspects of ports, where to find new revenue streams and, at the same time, control costs.”

At the same time, Salonga urged INAP members “to discuss how we can attract more ports to join INAP,” which, he said, had attracted only three new members in the last 11 years.

He said that by tackling these twin tasks, INAP could “manage to be heard and heeded as a formidable voice and authority in the industry”, especially since ports “remain critical to the financial health of most economies around the world.”

“We in INAP can definitely be part of the solution – if we do what we ought to do and do it well,” Salonga concluded...

This year’s INAP general assembly was hosted by the Mokpo Newport in South Korea. Last year, the INAP convention was held in this free port under the auspices of the SBMA.

Among the INAP officials who participated in this year’s assembly were: Choi Byeong-Soo - CEO of Mokpo Newport Co. Ltd., Angelo C. Verdan of the Cebu Port Authority, Priyath B. Wickrema of the Sri Lanka Port Authority, Masanao Ozaki of the Kochi Prefectural Government, Chang Dechuan of the Qingdao Port Authority, and Achmad Baroto of the Port of Tanjung Perak, Indonesia. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

Read More

Execs: Subic has come long way

Top officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) are optimistic about the freeport's prospects in the global maritime sector.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, in his address during the general assembly of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) here on Wednesday, said compared to 10 years ago, Subic has come a long way.

He said Subic is now home to some 1,100 investor-firms that provide jobs to more than 85,000 workers.

Arreza said Subic, which has the newest operating container port in the country, possesses key infrastructure that can support a wide range of businesses.

With this, Subic now responds to the growing requirements of seaborne trade in Northern and Central Luzon, and is ready for the capacity shortage of 14 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) projected for Southeast Asia, Arreza told conference delegates.

He said the existence of nine other piers and cargo terminals in Subic, the logistics support infrastructure in the Subic-Clark growth corridor and the freeport's location in the center of the East Asian region would give this free port access to more investments.

During the conference, representatives of INAP's member-ports installed SBMA Chair Feliciano Salonga as INAP chair for 2008 to 2009.

Salonga said he would steer Inap to survival and expansion, especially during these challenging times.

INAP, formed in 1998 as a venue for exchanging information and sharing technology and expertise on marine transport and logistics, held its 10th annual conference here as the global economic downturn began affecting major industries, including the maritime sector.

Masanao Ozaki, governor of the Kochi Prefecture in Japan and outgoing INAP chair, lauded the SBMA for promoting investment and employment opportunities in Subic.

"For the significant increase in [the] number of investors and jobs created in Subic, I would like to show respect to the people of SBMA for the hard work and generous effort in developing the local economy," Ozaki said.

Hiroshi Yamanaka, ports promotion director at the Kochi port in Japan, said the Kochi government encouraged not only exchanges among government officials, but also among traders during the Subic conference.

The Kochi government had 30 delegates to the conference, 20 of them coming from the private business sector, Yamanaka said.

The Japanese delegation, he said, checked developments inside the Subic Bay
Freeport in pursuit of possible economic exchanges or trade. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Read More

SBMA's Salonga elected head of Asian ports network

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga, credited for the successful re-focusing of Subic's development thrust into the maritime industry, was formally named the new chairman of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) here on Tuesday (October 28).

Members of the network, who attended the organization's two-day conference at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, unanimously voted Salonga into the post.

Salonga, who holds the rank of a commodore in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, became the 10th INAP chairman, replacing Gov. Masanao Ozaki of the Kochi Prefecture in Japan, which hosted last year's conference.

In accepting the chairmanship, Salonga said he is willing to steer INAP "towards not only survival, but also expansion during these challenging times."

He said the INAP should expand further by forging deeper relationships between member ports and intensifying the recruitment of new members into the organization.

This is in response to the call of Ozaki, who remarked that this year's conference theme "Emerging Roles for Asian Ports," is timely because the current crisis in the global economy also affects the maritime sector.

"It is significant in terms of the philosophy of INAP that this year's conference was held here in the port of Subic Bay," Ozaki also said, as he urged INAP members to take Subic Bay as a prime example on how to cope with sudden changes.

Ozaki, who made history in Japan last year as the country's youngest governor in history, added that he admires the way SBMA has propelled Subic Bay from the devastating economic effects of the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991 and the pullout of the US Naval Base the following year.

"Now, Subic Bay Freeport's logistics infrastructure, including air, land and sea transportation systems, allows Subic to perform its role as one of the main driving forces of the Philippine economy," said Ozaki.

Salonga, meanwhile, recalled that Subic's port modernization project has barely began when the free port first hosted the INAP symposium in 2002.

"Subic Bay has gone a long way since then — the port modernization project is now a reality," he said, adding that the SBMA would be willing to share its experiences in developing Subic's maritime port with other members of INAP.

The group, which was formed in 1998, has seven members: the ports of Subic and Cebu in the Philippines, Kochi port in Japan, Mokpo Newport in South Korea, Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Colombo in Sri Lanka, and Qingdao in China..

Aside from holding the convention and business meetings in Subic, INAP conference delegates are scheduled to meet with officials of the Clark Development Corp., which manages the Clark Freeport. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

Read More

SBMA cites growing role of Subic port in maritime trade

The two-day general assembly of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) started here on Tuesday on positive notes of greater cooperation and further growth among members, as host Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) cited the growing role of ports in the global trade.

INAP, which was formed in 1998 as a venue for exchanging information and sharing technology and expertise on marine transport and logistics, held its 10th annual conference here as the global economic downturn began affecting major industries, including the maritime sector.

However, Subic port officials led by SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga and SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said that Subic, like INAP's other member-ports, is still optimistic of attaining growth despite economic difficulties.

"The Port of Subic now boasts of thenewest operating container port in the country, and it possesses key infrastructure that can support a wide range of businesses," Arreza pointed out as he batted for this free port as an ideal maritime logistics hub.

"With this, Subic now responds to the growing requirements of seaborne trade in Northern and Central Luzon, and is ready for the capacity shortage of 14 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) projected for South East Asia," Arreza told conference delegates.

Arreza also said Subic's New Container Terminal-1, which was funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), has an annual capacity of 300,000 TEUs and equipped with two quay cranes capable of handling even post-Panamax cargo vessels.

The existence of nine other piers and cargo terminals in Subic, the massive logistics support infrastructure now existing in the Subic-Clark growth corridor, as well as the free port's strategic location in the center of the growing East Asian region, definitely gives Subic a solid foundation to gain more investments, attract more trade and weather the current economic storm, Arreza added.

Compared to ten years ago, Subic has come a long way," Arreza said, adding that the Subic Bay Freeport is now home to some 1,100 investor-firms that provide jobs to more than 85,000 workers.

On the other hand, Arreza said that because of the economic crisis today it is important that INAP focus on its fundamental objectives. These include responding to the needs of the maritime transport industry, while strengthening cooperation among members, exchanging information and technology, and conducting regular interaction among members.

For his part, outgoing INAP chairman and current Kochi Prefecture of Japan Gov. Masanao Ozaki lauded the SBMA for promoting excellent investment and employment opportunities in Subic.

"For the significant increase in numbers of investors and jobs created in Subic, I would like to show respect to the people of SBMA for the hard work and generous effort in developing the local economy," Ozaki said.

The INAP conference here also began on Tuesday on another positive note for Subic as representatives of the member-ports unanimously installed SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga as INAP chairman for the year 2008- 2009.

Salonga, who said his election as INAP head is both a personal and professional milestone for him, promised to contribute his "humble share in steering INAP towards, not only survival, but also expansion especially during these challenging times. (SBMA Corporate Communications)



Outgoing INAP chairman Masanao Ozaki, who is also governor of the Kochi Prefecture in Japan, lauds the SBMA for creating investment and job opportunities in the Subic Bay Freeport.






Dancers in traditional Filipino costume welcome delegates to the 10th assembly of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. The conference was hosted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority on October 28 and 29.

Read More

Japanese traders in INAP conference to survey business prospects in Subic Freeport

Authorities at the Port of Kochi in Japan have urged port-related businesses in their area to join the 10th annual conference of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) here this week and survey possible business ventures in this free port.

According to Hiroshi Yamanaka, ports promotion director at the Kochi port, the Kochi Prefectural Government encouraged not only exchanges among (government) officials, but also among traders during the two-day Subic conference that begins on Tuesday.

This is because the business sector “is actually the one conducting trade in the ports belonging to the INAP group,” Yamanaka pointed out.

In turn the prefectural government, which administers the Port of Kochi, has enlisted 30 delegates to the Subic conference, with 20 coming from the private business sector, Yamanaka said in a email sent to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Thursday.

The Japanese business delegation, he said, is part of the “economic mission of businesses” they have formed in response to the establishment of INAP in 1998 as a forum for consultation, cooperation and exchange of information among member-ports.

As in missions to other INAP member-ports which involved private businesses, Yamanaka said, the Japanese delegation will check out developments inside the Subic Bay Freeport “in pursuit of possible economic exchanges or trade.”

“If we could encourage more such exchanges in the private sector, so that they happen not just once but several times a year, we would see greater results,” he said.

Yamanaka pointed out many companies in the Kochi area began pursuing overseas business ventures after attending last year’s INAP conference that was hosted by Kochi port.

This is because one special characteristic of INAP, Yamanaka said, “is not simply the one-on-one port relationship, but the network of alliance among ports that spans many different countries.”

He said that the ties among member ports “will lead to the advancement of their respective regions and countries.”

Yamanaka added that he himself became excited to come to the Philippines after hearing about serious efforts of the SBMA to transform Subic Bay into a leading maritime and logistics hub in the Asia-Pacific region, as discussed by SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga in the Kochi conference last year.

Kochi’s ports promotion division, which Yamanaka heads, served as the INAP secretariat since the port organization was established 10 years ago.

Meanwhile, Salonga, who is the incoming chairman of INAP, announced that representatives of the seven member-ports will meet here to discuss the emerging roles of ports in the Asian region.

The INAP members include the ports of Subic and Cebu in the Philippines, Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Port of Kochi in Japan, Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Port of Qingdao in China, and Mokpo Newport in South Korea. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

Read More

Subic port to inject innovations in INAP conference

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will be introducing innovations in the program for the 10th International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) that it will host beginning Tuesday next week.

SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga said that for the first time in the 10-year history of INAP, the conference will feature business meetings among locators in the various member-ports, as well as an exhibition of products and services related to the maritime industry.

“These innovations will be introduced to maximize the opportunities that INAP conference may open to port operators and businessmen alike,” Salonga said.

“We want these new conference features to help in dynamically transforming the ports network into a bigger and more effective organization,” he added.

Salonga, who is the incoming INAP chairman to replace Gov. Masanao Ozaki of Kochi, Japan, also said that a total of 70 official delegates from INAP’s member-ports have confirmed their attendance to the conference.

The seven members of INAP are: Port of Subic, Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Port of Kochi in Japan, Port of Cebu, Port of Qingdao in China, Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, and Mokpo Newport in South Korea, which joined the group last year.

Meanwhile, SBMA’s seaport general manager Perfecto Pascual, who is in charge of the preparations for the conference, said that the Port of Kochi has confirmed that about 20 Japanese businessmen will join Kochi’s official delegation to Subic.

“Korea is also coming in with some business representatives,” he said.

Among the local agencies, Pascual said that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will also put up a booth at the exhibit hall of the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) where the conference will be held.

The exhibits and business meetings will be important features of the conference because in the maritime community, Pascual explained, ports have multiplier effects in terms of employment, in generating major industries, and increasing export and import activities.

“These are the things that promote interrelationships among our ranks and promote commerce, not only here in Subic, but also with other member ports,” he added.

Pascual added that INAP officials will also consider during the conference here the organization’s policy on accepting new members.

“The current policy is that a port applying for membership should first have a sister-port agreement with any of the members,” he revealed. “But we might probably relax this policy, so that other interested ports can join even without a sister-port agreement with member ports.”

The proposed policy shift might help transform INAP into a bigger organization, Pascual said. (SBMA Corporate Communications

Read More

Transportation top brass to keynote Subic Int'l Ports Confab

Secretary Leandro Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) will be the keynote speaker here next week during the annual conference and general assembly meeting of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP).

The INAP conference, which will be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on October 28 to 29, is expected to include a series of direction-setting and planning workshops under the theme "Emerging Roles for Asian Ports."


The organization is composed of the ports of Subic and Cebu in the Philippines, Kochi in Japan, Mokpo in South Korea, Qingdao in China, Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, and Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Mendoza, whose department is responsible for the country's rail, air, sea and communications infrastructure, said the event "will serve as an opportune venue to discuss and exchange ideas on possible multilateral economic opportunities for local and foreign businesses."

The conference theme, Mendoza also said in a message to INAP, "manifests your strong commitment towards the development of ports and harbors in the Asian region."

Aside from addressing the INAP assembly, Mendoza is scheduled to open an exhibit on maritime-related industries and products at the SBECC on the first day of the meeting.

The INAP conference will be formally opened at 9 a.m. on October 28 by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza, who will deliver the welcome address.

This will be followed by the opening remarks from Governor Masanao Ozaki, head of the Kochi prefectural government in Japan, who is also outgoing INAP chairman.

Other speakers on the first day of the conference include Arreza, who will make a presentation on the role of the Port of Subic in Northern Luzon trade, Secretary Eduardo Pamintuan of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD), and Edgardo Abesamis, president of the Subic Bay International Terminal Corp., operator of the New Container Terminal-1 in this free port.

On the second day of the conference, representatives of INAP member-ports will also present plenary reports. These include Capt. Perfecto Pacual, SBMA seaport manager; Angelo Verdan, general manager of Cebu Port Authority; Ozaki, for the Port of Kochi; Achmad Baroto, general manager of the Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia; and Byeong Soo Choi, chief executive officer of Mokpo Newport in South Korea.

Two other Asian ports are expected to join INAP during the Subic conference: the Port of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia and the Port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan.

SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga is also scheduled to be elected chairman of INAP during the conference here, replacing Ozaki who was elected last year. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

Read More

Subic Freeport to host int’l ports confab on Oct. 28-29

The Port of Subic will be hosting an international conference of ports on October 28-29, consistent with the thrust of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to establish higher visibility and widen its circle of partners in the global maritime industry.

SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga said seven members of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) will meet here to conduct a series of direction-setting and planning workshops under the theme “Emerging Roles for Asian Ports.”

The INAP members include the ports of Subic and Cebu in the Philippines, Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Port of Kochi in Japan, Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Port of Qingdao in China, Mokpo Newport in South Korea.

Two other ports are expected to join this year’s conference, Salonga said.. These are the Port of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, which will be invited by Cebu, and the Port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan, which established a sister-port relationship with Subic last year.

Salonga, who will be this year’s conference chairman, said the INAP meeting will focus on crucial discussions about the state of the maritime trade in the Asian region in light of the current global economic crunch.

“Ports are the traditional gateways to local economies, and in today’s increasingly globalized economy they’re proving to be more and more indispensable than ever,” Salonga said.

“With the current economic turmoil experienced by global financial markets, we’d like to come up with strategies to lessen the impact on port operations,” he added.

Salonga added that the Port of Subic expects to benefit much from its membership in INAP since the group was primarily organized to facilitate the sharing of information and technology among its members.

“Our main interest now is for Subic to continue and expand its networking efforts to keep pace with developments in the maritime trade,” he said.

Meanwhile, SBMA deputy administrator for port operations Ferdinand Hernandez said the conference would discuss programs “to help small ports like Subic attain growth and become like China’s Qingdao port, which is now the tenth largest in the world.”

He said the Port of Subic would like to duplicate the well-organized conference prepared by the Port of Kochi, which hosted the INAP meeting last year.

The INAP organization was established in 1998 to provide member-ports with a forum for consultation, cooperation and exchange of information on expertise, know-how, and marketing.

It also endeavors to play a special role in creating environmental awareness, so as to minimize the ecological impact of modern civilization on the environment.

INAP is now undertaking initiatives to deepen the relationship of member-ports and to expand its role in the global maritime industry, said Salonga.

In the upcoming conference here, outgoing INAP chairman Masanao Ozaki, who is governor of Kochi Prefecture, will be turning over the post to Salonga, who will preside over the INAP general assembly session. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

Read More