BOC orders transfer of empty containers in Manila ports to Batangas, Subic

In an attempt to solve port congestion, the Bureau of Customs has ordered the transfer of all empty containers in Port of Manila and Manila International Container Port to the ports in Batangas and Subic.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero directed the district collectors of Port of Manila (POM) and Manila International Container Port (MICP), which are both located in Manila, to transfer all empty containers to the Asian Terminals Inc. in Port of Batangas and Manila International Container Terminal in Subic Bay Freeport.

The two ports, under Executive No. 172, series of 2014, were declared as extensions of the POM and MICP “during port congestion and other emergency cases.”

District collectors of Port of Batangas and Subic Bay Freeport, according to Guerrero, shall exercise authority over the containers to be transferred.

The district collectors of POM and MICP, on the other hand, shall “immediately transmit all pertinent documents relative to the subject containers for immediate processing and disposal.”

Port congestion experienced in 2014 also prompted former Customs Chief Alberto Lina to order the transfer of cargo containers to the container terminals in Batangas and Subic.

According to the bureau, the jurisdiction of the transferred cargoes remained on the district collectors of the POM and MICP, however, in November 2015, the jurisdiction of the cargoes was transferred to the district collectors of the extension ports in Batangas and Subic.

The need for immediate disposition of the transferred cargo container then, the bureau said, prompted them to likewise transfer the jurisdiction of the containers. (Betheena Unite, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:

Unloading at the New Container Terminal of the Port of Subic.


https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/02/21/boc-orders-transfer-of-empty-containers-in-manila-ports-to-batangas-subic/

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Gov't to pursue use of Subic, Batangas ports to decongest Manila roads

The Duterte administration will push for the use of the ports of Subic and Batangas to ease bottlenecks at Manila ports.

This scheme is one of five infrastructure projects expected to decongest Metro Manila road traffic. The other projects are: The North-South Railway Project (NSRP)-South Line; the Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)-EDSA project; Bonifacio Global City (BGC)-Ortigas link bridge; and, a common station for MRT 3, LRT 1, and MRT 7.

Container truck traffic at the port of Manila

The Infrastructure Committee has specified measures to urgently address Metro Manila’s traffic crisis and decongest the city, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a press conference in Malacañang on Tuesday.

The projects will be carried out in partnership with private sector.

Road traffic congestion in Metro Manila cost the country at least P3 billion a day, according to a study that Japan International Cooperation agency conducted in 2012.

Two of the projects—NSRP South Lane and BRT-EDSA—alone will cost P238.96 billion. Costing of others is yet to be finalized.

According to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center website, the NSRP, which has an indicative cost of P170.7 billion, aims to revive the railway to provide improved transport and logistics services to currently underserved areas and encourage more productive activities.

The proposed NSRP South Line PPP covers Metro Manila to Legazpi City, Albay, plus a number of existing and proposed branch lines totaling 653 kilometers.

It consists of commuter railway operations between Tutuban and Calamba and long haul railway operations between Tutuban and Legazpi, including extended long haul rail operations on the branch line between Calamba and Batangas and extension between Legazpi and Matnog.

The railway between the existing Tutuban station and the city of Calamba, in the Laguna province is a 56km section of the NSRP and is proposed to have commuter rail operations in addition to long haul rail operations of NSRP.

This section represents an existing Philippines National Railway (PNR) right-of-way (ROW) which runs through
Metro Manila. Currently, the NSRP has a narrow gauge railway.

However, the PPP Center said extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction is needed to bridges and road crossings to bring it to safe operating condition.

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila BRT-EDSA, is a rapid transit infrastructure of 48.6km through EDSA, Ayala Avenue, Ortigas-BGC, and Ninoy Aquino International Airport with 63 stations. It will add accessibility infrastructure like greenways, pedestrian walkways, and bikeways. The total project cost is estimated at P68.26 billion, of which public sector component is P37.76 billion, with an implementation schedule of 2017 to 2019.

The bridge that will link Bonifacio Gobal City (BGC) in Taguig City and Ortigas Center in Pasig City will include vehicular underpasses below the Makati Business District.

“The immediate implementation of the Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas link bridge… is expected to divert 25 percent of the EDSA traffic,” said Pernia.

The link bridge will add up to C5, which is located on the east side of Metro Manila.

“So we need another one there to add road space for those traveling between the two parts of Metro Manila that is cut by the Pasig River,” he explained.

Another, Pernia said, is the early resolution of the Common Station for MRT 3, LRT 1, and MRT 7.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways will hand the final configuration of the station to the Department of Transportation,” he said. (Mayvelin U. Caraballo, Manila Times)

http://www.manilatimes.net/govt-picks-5-schemes-to-decongest-mm/281709/

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US carrier strike group arrives in Subic

A carrier strike group of the US Navy arrived in Subic Bay on Friday (May 20) and will be in Manila on Saturday, the US Embassy announced.

The arrival of the carrier strike group came two days after the Pentagon announced that two Chinese fighter jets had intercepted a US surveillance plane over the South China Sea.

Nuclear-powered supercarrier, the USS John C. Stennis while en route to the Philippines (photo from USS John C.
Stennis Facebook page)

The strike group led by the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), a nuclear-powered supercarrier that can carry at least 90 fixed-wing aircraft, will be in the country for a "routine visit".

Escorting the supercarrier are guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale, USS Chung-Hoon and USS William P. Lawrence and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay.

“We are excited to visit Manila and Subic Bay. This is a great opportunity for our Sailors to see the sights and experience the warm hospitality of the Filipino people,” said Rear Admiral Marcus Hitchcock, strike group commander.

“Many of our Sailors look forward to reconnecting with family and friends in the local area.”

While in the Philippines, strike group personnel will conduct cultural exchanges with the people of the Philippines by participating in community relations projects (COMRELS). Sailors plan to visit local elementary schools, cemeteries, memorials, and a medical center. (GMA News)

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/567054/news/nation/us-carrier-strike-group-arrives-in-subic

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Container volume doubles at Port of Subic

Container shipments at the Port of Subic doubled as of August this year as Manila continues to experience massive port congestion.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto V. Garcia, in a press briefing, told reporters that as of August this year, container volume at the Port of Subic has already reached 83,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) compared to 43,000 TEUs for the same period last year.

This indicated a 93 percent increase, Garcia pointed out.

The SBMA official said efforts by the agency and partner locators to ensure ease in cargo processing at the Port of Subic, as well as other marketing initiatives, contributed to the rise in container volume here.

“We are the only port in Luzon that has a one-stop shop, and this gives us the competitive edge,” Garcia also explained. “They come to our container port, go to our one-stop shop where offices of the SBMA, Customs, and the Landbank are there all in one place, and in just a matter of 30 minutes, their papers are already processed.”

“The one-stop shop and our marketing programs such as the two recent maritime summits and the formation of a Maritime Technical Group, are all coming into play right now,“ Garcia added.

At the rate the Port of Subic is performing, Garcia said he expect shipping volume this year to double last year’s yearend record of 77,000 TEUs.

The SBMA chair also concurred with Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who said in a recent forum here that Subic is the answer to the current traffic congestion in Manila.

“Senator Marcos hasn’t been here for some time, but he was really impressed with Subic. We are really pushing very hard to increase the volume here to help decongest Manila,” Garcia said.

Subic Bay is the only port in the western seaboard of the Philippines that still has enough capacity to handle additional container volume.

Garcia said that unlike the Port of Batangas, which has now reached its full capacity, shippers can come to Subic any time.

Seven major shipping lines are now calling on the port of Subic on a regular basis. These include Maersk, APL, NYK, and SITC, among others. (RBB/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Container ships unloads cargo at the New Container Terminal in the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Rising volumes push Manila, Subic to upgrade ports

HONG KONG — International Container Terminal Services Inc. is investing heavily in construction and port equipment to improve productivity that will be required to deal with rising container volumes expected through its Manila and Subic import gateways.

Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), the ICTSI flagship, has had a request to spend $107 million on expanding yard capacity approved by the Philippines Board of Investments, while Subic Bay International Container Terminal Corp. (SBITC) recently deployed three new reach stackers and 16 new Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors.
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Port equipment upgrades are being made by ICTSI, and six new rubber tired gantries have been ordered that may be deployed at either MICT or Subic terminals. This will be added to the three new reach stackers and 16 new Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors that SBITC commissioned recently.

There has been renewed interest in Subic port that played a large role during the congestion. At the height of the bottlenecks, an order from the government temporarily lifted cabotage restrictions on Subic and Batangas ports that allowed foreign carriers to be loaded or unloaded there if Manila was backed up. Now that the Philippines has scrapped the cabotage law, there is expected to be greater volumes flowing through the country’s smaller ports.

The cabotage reform will bring down the exorbitant costs of domestic shipping and improve efficiency as foreign carriers compete on an equal level with the few local players that have cornered the market, and it has received a warm welcome from the Philippine Ports Authority.

"The major gateways have long been capable of handling bigger ships and our secondary gateways are being improved to handle international vessels," said PPA general manager Juan Sta. Ana.

"They have been improving the capacity and capability of the Philippine ports in anticipation of the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community at the start of next year, and those measures somehow help the state-owned agency adjust easily to the amendments in the cabotage law,” he said.

Roberto Locsin, SBITC general manager, said terminal productivity and efficiencies will continue to improve as SBITC makes key investments in equipment and technology. “It is also part of our effort to persuade more customers to use Subic as it is logically the gateway for these regions (central and northern Luzon),” he said.

“The new equipment, along with the opening of a one-stop shop, will allow us to continue to deliver superior customer experience for our customers from the quay to the gate including brokers, forwarders, and truckers and ultimately, the cargo owner.”

The one-stop shop Locsin was referring to is a move to house the relevant customs and port authorities under one roof to revamp the often tedious documentation process and hasten the processing of import transactions. It allows the seamless flow of transactions as port users no longer have to travel to different areas around Subic to process documents.
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The MICT project will see the construction of Berth 7 in Manila’s North Harbor that will include a 300-metre wharf and back up area that when completed will be able to handle up to 2.5 million 20-foot containers.

A key part of the MICT project will be an expansion of yard space for storage of empty containers as ICTSI tries to resolve what was a significant part of the chronic port congestion that brought Manila to a standstill for most of last year.

The Philippines is a net importer of containerised goods with around 900,000 empty TEUs shipped out every year being handled by MICT. At one point during the congestion in Manila, 75,000 TEUs were waiting to be collected in the port.

Phase 1 of the Berth 7 yard development has been completed, adding four hectares of empty container depot that will be able to store up to 4,300 TEUs. An additional two hectares able to store more than 2,000 TEUs will be added by the end of the year.

The whole project is expected to be completed by 2017 and will complement the development of Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal, a dry port operated by ICTSI 36 miles south of Manila.

Laguna dry port’s phase 1 expansion will include extended and dedicated storage areas for loaded and empty containers, a runway for rubber-tired gantries (RTG), container care facilities, weigh bridges at the gates, an upgraded access road and a direct rail service to the sea port. The full project will effectively add 250,000 TEUs of capacity to MICT.

“Once everybody starts using Laguna dry port, we can expect even better productivity levels at MICT,” said Christian Gonzalez, ICTSI vice president and head of Asia-Pacific.

Philippine business and government officials appear to be at odds over whether Manila will experience a return of port congestion when container volumes increase ahead of the Christmas season.

Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, who heads Task Force Pantalan that is charged with finding solutions to port bottlenecks, told the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee this week there will be a smooth flow of goods with no congestion in and out of the country's ports for the upcoming Christmas season, when the volume of imported goods naturally increases.

"Everything is moving well. We don't expect problems in December," Almendras told the committee during a hearing at the legislature, according to online news portal InterAksyon.

However, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce had the opposite opinion. Local media quoted chamber president Alfredo Yao as saying port congestion might be inevitable during the last quarter because of a surge in container volumes.

“There should be tightening in the ports again because the truck ban is gone and it’s also the last quarter which is the peak season for importers,” Yao told reporters. “I hope not but there is that possibility.” Yao did concede that “it may not be as bad as last year.” (Greg Knowler, Senior Asia Editor, JOC.com)

PHOTO:
Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation has added 16 new Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors to its prime mover fleet ahead of an expected increase in container movement in the coming months.

full story: http://www.joc.com/port-news/rising-volumes-push-manila-and-subic-upgrade-ports_20150929.html

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PCCI urges PNoy to prioritize the expansion of Subic, Batangas ports

The business community hopes President Aquino will finally put to rest the port congestion issue by making a priority the expansion of Subic and Batangas international ports before his term ends next year.

Alfredo M. Yao, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (PCCI) said the resolution of the port congestion at the Manila ports tops its wish list of priority issues that they want President Aquino to make a policy statement during his last State of the Nation Address this month.

“The port operation has improved a lot but sooner or later we will be hounded again by port congestion,” said Yao. Trade volume is expected to pick at the start of the second semester and with the robust economic growth, Yao expects congestion to be back again this year.

The port congestion that hit the Manila port last year has caused considerable damage to businesses in the country and potential economic potentials.

Yao stressed that the port congestion is a vicious cycle that come again and again if it is not addressed.

Yao would like the government to have the will to push for the expansion of the Batangas International Port, which is being operated by the Asian Terminals Inc.

If the capacity of the port is expanded all import and export cargo volume from and into the south should use the Batangas port rather than going to the Manila port and subject themselves to the burgeoning traffic of the city.

Expansion of the Subic ports, where the International Container Terminal Services Inc. has existing operations, need to be further enhanced.

It should be easier though to expand Subic because the Subic Bay Metroplitan Authority, which runs Subic freeport, is a government agency.

Subic port should be the main port for businesses operating in the northern part of Luzon, Yao stressed.

“At present, we are all relying on Manila ports and that is so inefficient,” he added.

“Government should come in and exercise its political will,” said Yao.

Aside from the port congestion issue, the PCCI also hopes the President to push for the enactment into law the long overdue Customs and Tariff Modernization Act among other priority bills pending in Congress. (Bernie Magkilat, Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/pcci-urges-pnoy-to-prioritize-the-expansion-of-subic-batangas-ports/

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House think tank outlines ways to end port logjam

TO address the problem of port congestion in Metro Manila, the House of Representatives’ Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) has urged the government to consider Batangas and Subic ports as alternative main sea gateways and upgrade the country’s infrastructure.

CPBRD, the research body of the lower chamber, said in a discussion paper that it is imperative that the government seriously consider gradually shifting international container traffic to Batangas and Subic ports to solve the growing congestion problem in Metro Manila and to catalyze growth in adjacent regions.

It also encouraged the government to study carefully the proposal to cap volume in the Port of Manila (POM), and consider the impact of this policy in terms of the potential additional cost to shippers.

The CPBRD, citing a study by supply-chain stakeholders, said around 70 percent of the imported raw materials, equipment, supplies and consumer goods go to Metro Manila and Northern Cavite. About 18 percent go to Laguna, 6 percent to Batangas and Quezon; and 6 percent to Pampanga and other areas north of Metro Manila.

A big part of the exports come from Metro Manila and Northern Cavite, at 73 percent.

“The Joint Foreign Chambers [JFC] of the Philippines has suggested that the local government units of Metro Manila impose higher taxes on factories and warehouses as incentives to move to hubs like Batangas and Subic,” the research body said.

It added that “various groups have [also] advocated for the Batangas and Subic ports as alternatives of the POM to deliberately address the issue concerning the underutilization of these ports, albeit, improving in recent years.”

According to the CPBRD, around P17.5 billion was borrowed during President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration to finance the development of Batangas and Subic ports, excluding the additional investments of around P111.1 billion that funded the expressways leading to these ports.

The CPBRD also proposed separating the regulatory and operational functions of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

“While the Batangas Port is under the PPA, the Subic Port is owned by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority [SBMA]. Thus, it may seem challenging for the PPA to strongly promote the Subic Port as a competitor to the PPA-owned ports, including the POM, because of its potential to erode the PPA’s revenues substantially,” the paper said.

According to the CPBRD, the port-congestion problem in 2014 was unprecedented.

“The PPA had dealt with port-congestion problems in the past but only during Christmas season, when there is substantial increase in import volume. But the port congestion last year was far more complex and urgent, triggered by the Manila truck-ban ordinance,” it said.

The port-congestion problem last year has prompted the government to establish a Cabinet cluster, whose task was solely to address the port logjam, a result of the Manila truck ban, limited road capacity in Metro Manila and the growing trade volume.

Infrastructure projects

The research body also backed the proposals to construct a “mega port” within or outside Manila to support a growing trade volume in the next five to six years.

“Undoubtedly, the root of the congestion problem in the country is the lack of well-planned and efficient infrastructure,” it said.

The CPBRD added that the country’s infrastructure is among those identified by multilateral companies as one of the major weaknesses in its growing economy.

“Indeed, solving the country’s congestion problem requires more investment in infrastructure development,” the body said.

Also, it added that port stakeholders have suggested the need to build a dedicated elevated expressway connecting the POM directly to the North and South Luzon expressways.

“Some have even proposed to revive the railways from POM to Divisoria and Tutuban to Caloocan, and connecting them with North and South Luzon. The fast and cost-effective service by rail transport makes it a preferred mode of transporting passengers and cargoes,” the CPBRD said.

It said the country’s remarkable economic growth in recent years, as well as the expected gains from the upcoming Asean Economic Integration, is seen to facilitate robust international trade to support a consumption-driven economy and a booming manufacturing industry, adding: “The increasing capacity of ships calling at world ports requires port infrastructure that could accommodate post-Panamax vessels containing more than 14,000 to 18,000 20-foot equivalent units [TEUs], from the current 8,000 to 10,000 TEUs.”

National transport policy

One of the major shortcomings of the country’s infrastructure sector is the lack of an integrated national transport plan, the CPBRD said.

“The port-congestion problem would have been prevented had there been a national transport policy in place that guides and harmonize the development goals of the national and local governments. It is, therefore, imperative to put in place a comprehensive long-term National Transport Policy toward achieving a well-coordinated and integrated multimodal transport system in the country,” the research body added.

A national transport policy will also institutionalize and insulate the country’s national transport- development plan from political interventions as the case of the Manila truck ban, it said.

“[Also] it is vital for the transport-infrastructure network, such as port, airport, roads, rail transport, to be planned as a system to ensure the stability and sustainability of the key industries’ supply chain,” it said.

The CPBRD also adopted the proposal of the JFC for the formulation of a “master plan,” which should aim, for instance, to transform Manila into a financial and service center—tourism, finance, education, medical and business-process outsourcing.

“This would require moving factories and manufacturing activities to the outskirts of Metro Manila, particularly Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Batangas and Subic. Moreover, it is important to equip Batangas and Subic ports with world-class logistics facilities, including warehouses and distribution centers,” the lower chamber’s research body said. (Jovee Marie de la Cruz, BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
The New Container Terminal 1 (NCT1) at the Subic Bay Freeport, recently declared as berth no. 8 of the Port of Manila.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/house-think-tank-outlines-ways-to-end-port-logjam/

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ICTSI to expand capacity of its Subic terminal

As government hesitates to allow International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) to expand its Manila port operations, the company is seeking to expand its container terminal in Subic Bay, whose capacity utilization is increasing, as part of its strategy to “future-proof” its terminals.

Christian Gonzales, vice president and Asia Region head of ICTSI, told reporters in an interview that this is part of its five-year $300 million to $400-million Medium Term Development program.

Initially, the company has allocated $12 million for rubber-tire gantry (RTG) cranes for both Subic New Container Terminal-2 (NCT-2) and Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).

Gonzales said it is not yet certain how many RTGs will go to Subic, which has already six, and MICT as this will depend on market demand.

“We won’t be adding quay cranes in Subic because they have already four.

In Manila, we plan on adding two but that’s over 2 years depending on how we see the market developing,” he said.

Gonzalez noted that ICTSI’s strategy in its strategic expansion planning has always been to “future proof” its terminals. Subic has been designated by the government as alternative to Manila port in light of the ongoing port congestion.

While the additional equipment and capacities may only be a small portion of its overall MTD plan as there is no need to expand the pier but to continue with two berths for the big ships, Gonzales said they may also need to expand the port area in coordination with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

NCT-2 has a total of 13.16 hectare terminal Area; 14-hectare container yard; 280 meters quay; controlling depth of 13 meters; 6 truck lanes; 0.7 hectare truck holding area; and 60 ton weigh bridge.

He noted there are still available lots in Subic that they can expand into.

ICTSI has already discussed this plan with SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia who told them to possibly do it in stages.

“Chairman Garcia is very flexible, very aggressive. We are just making sure that Subic is ready to accommodate more traffic as much as possible,” he said.

According to Gonzalez, the capacity utilization of NCT-2 in Subic is expected to reach 21 percent by next year. NYK shipping line has their first call on Monday.

The government has been against further expansion of the Manila port, but Gonzalez said there has been some softening of government stance as they now allowed the expansion of berth 7.

Gonzalez explained there are two kinds of expansion, one is just expanding capacity to allow bigger but fewer ships to call and making the Manila port operations more efficient. The other type of expansion is where a player just wants to get a bigger market share.

Gonzalez does not want to divulge its market share in the Manila port but said that they understand the government’s move to promote Subic and Batangas.

He, however, stressed that the “promotion for Batangas and Subic should be done by getting industries to move there not by taking the cargo of somebody.”

Gonzalez even said that the shift of cargoes from the MICT to Subic following the port congestion and the designation of Subic and Batangas as alternative to Manila ports has been very small and just temporary.

Those that shifted permanently are those that are really from the nearby areas.

“It does not mean that while you have the port, the cargo volume will go to you,” he stressed. (Bernie Magkilat, Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/ictsi-to-expand-capacity-of-its-subic-terminal/

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Gov’t, private sector tackle port congestion on Nov 27

Government officials would meet next week with various stakeholders in the Port of Manila to update them on the ongoing efforts to ease the port congestion and other concerns, Communications secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said yesterday.

Coloma said the meeting had been set for November 27 at the Manila Diamond Hotel with some 300 people representing the government, port operators and the private stakeholders like the importers, exporters and truckers are expected to attend.

Coloma said Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras would represent the government including members of the Departments of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Transportation and Communications (DOTC), and Finance (DOF), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

The congestion of the Manila Port had worsened over the past months following the imposition of a truck ban by the Manila local government early this year.

This resulted in use of the Ports of Batangas and Subic as an alternate port to Manila, and release of cargoes on Sundays, among others. (Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/gov%E2%80%99t-private-sector-tackle-port-congestion-nov-27

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PPA assigns specific berths for vessels calling at Manila ports

Vessels calling at the ports of Manila will be temporarily assigned to specific berths to maximize port utilization this month, according to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

In a memorandum circular (MC) dated November 3, 2014, PPA General Manager Juan Sta. Ana informed terminal operators in the Manila about the temporary arrangement in the assignment of berths for vessels calling at the port of Manila.

“All ad hoc vessels calling at the Port of Manila including those presently on queue shall be berthed at South Harbor or Subic Bay Freeport. Meanwhile, A dual-caller vessel shall be directed by PPA to berth at South Harbor or at the Manila International Container Terminal upon its arrival at pilot boarding station,” Sta. Ana said.

According to the MC, ad hoc vessels refer to vessels designated or arranged to call at the port of Manila for a specific purpose and not on a regular basis whole a dual-caller vessel refers to a vessel whose ports of loading or unloading are both South Harbor and MICT.

The temporary arrangement in the assignment of berths will be valid until November 30 and will coincide with the shipping peak season due to the yearend holidays.

“This measure will reduce the number of vessels waiting at anchorage. It will also prevent double calls of vessels because instead of calling at two ports, operators will only call now at only one port,” the PPA said, explaining the consequence of the MC.

Despite the lifting of the Manila Truck ban, yard utilization went up from 80 to 90 percent as of October 31 due to the recent holiday, according to PPA. However, empty yard utilization declined from 90 to 70 percent.

The Cabinet Cluster on Port Congestion is targeting to reach the 80 percent yard utilization level for the ports of Manila. This translates to approximately 64,800 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) inside the ports to have enough room for optimum terminal efficiency and productivity. (Kris Bayos, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO: A container ship docks at the New Container Terminal of the Subic Bay Freeport, now assigned as a port extension of Manila.

http://www.mb.com.ph/ppa-assigns-specific-berths-for-vessels-calling-at-manila-ports/

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Subic Freeport now San Miguel Brewery’s alternative gateway

San Miguel Brewery, Inc. (SMB), a subsidiary of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., recently shifted a substantial volume of shipments from the port of Manila to Subic, a move that has meant less shipping fees and greater availability of stocks.

Due to the adverse effects of port congestion triggered by the Manila truck ban, Subic port provided a “new gateway” for SMB shipments, according to the company’s procurement manager, Gary Algodon, during a presentation at the Northern Luzon Shipping Summit in Fontana Clark on September 29.

Starting in June, Algodon said “Subic Port provided a new gateway for our shipments to the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, which accounts for 70% of container volumes (of SMB) in Luzon.” The shift was designed to “rectify delays” due to the Manila port congestion; as a result the company experienced availability of stocks for the next three months, he said.

The brewery in Pampanga is also nearer Subic port at 66.2 kilometers away compared with Manila International Container Port’s distance of 76.3 kms.

Further explaining the shift, Algodon said vessels calling Subic port are “basically on time, thus providing us the necessary stocks security.”

He added, “Through Subic Port, SMB was able to increase the inventory level of our raw materials to manage the uncertainties of the Manila port.”

Servicing of trucks is also faster through the Northern Luzon facility, he said.

It was only relatively recently that SMB shipped out of Subic port because “Manila port then was viable in terms of total landed cost”, Algodon said.

Since the implementation of the Manila truck ban in February and before the shipping shift to Subic, SMB encountered a lot of fees they were “not used to paying”, including demurrage and storage, which had reached P600,000, Algodon said.

It must be noted though that Manila mayor Joseph Estrada has lifted indefinitely the truck ban on Sept 13 although its effects, according to transport stakeholders, are expected to linger until early next year.

Since June, SMB has transported 447 containers out of Subic port. The company likewise plans to ship from Southeast Asia and Europe through the Northern Luzon gateway.

Algodon said Subic port has also become SMB’s “alternative port” for shipments bound to its Polo, Valenzuela brewery. Subic port and its Valenzuela brewery are 124 kms apart or a two- to three-hour trip.

Algodon said that with the lifting of the Manila truck ban and government’s efforts to decongest Manila ports, Algodon said they hope this would lessen costs incurred by its Valenzuela brewery.

“I think Subic port is becoming a new gateway,” Algodon noted, adding that SMB shipping through Subic means “there is no more danger in the stock out of beer.” (Roumina Pablo, PortCalls)

http://www.portcalls.com/subic-port-now-san-miguel-brewerys-alternative-gateway/

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Shipping firms opening routes from Subic to key regional ports

More shipping firms are considering opening routes from Subic to Singapore and Shanghai, as more enterprises start using this port in Central Luzon to avoid the container congestion in Manila, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said.

In a statement, SBMA Chair Roberto Garcia said NYK was “seriously thinking of establishing a Subic-Singapore route.”

Garcia said there were also reports about the planned opening of a Shanghai-Subic route “which will open China to shippers directly, instead of passing through Kaohsiung, Taiwan.”

“Subic is really lucky because we are the only port on the Western seaboard of the Philippines that has the necessary capacity at this point in time. Manila is congested. Batangas is congested. I hope we get congested soon, but that will be a happy problem,” Garcia explained.

For this year alone, Subic’s container port intake is expected to surge by 84 percent to 70,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from only 38,000 TEUs in 2013, according to the SBMA.

While the increase in volume would mean a significant increase in Subic port revenue, Garcia said there was a need for the Subic port not to get congested just like what happened to Batangas port after just one month of serving as an extension port of Manila.

“We’ve been informed that within the next two weeks or so, there will be ships that will be coming to unload and use Subic as an extension port,” Garcia said. “With the expected arrival of these ships, it is very important that the Port of Subic does not get congested or it will defeat the purpose of promoting Subic as an alternative port to Manila.”

Garcia added that Subic will have to be prepared for more cargo traffic because of reports that it was not only the Port of Manila that is congested, but also some major Asian ports like Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

“This is going to have a ripple effect,” he added. (Amy R. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer)


http://business.inquirer.net/180276/shipping-firms-opening-routes-from-subic-to-key-regional-ports

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Manila truckers pledged to ensure road safety in Subic

Operators and drivers of cargo-hauling companies and truckers’ groups vowed to follow traffic rules strictly enforced here to ensure road safety and efficient flow of container vans at the newly-designated Manila extension port in this Freeport.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently held a “Traffic Summit” with firms engaged in shipping and other port-related businesses to discuss measures on ensuring efficient traffic flow of container trucks in the Freeport and avoiding congestion.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said with the expected arrival of ships that will unload container vans, it is very important that the Port of Subic does not get congested or it will defeat the purpose of promoting Subic as an alternative port to Manila.

During the summit, participating truckers signed a road safety manifesto pledging support and cooperation with the SBMA to ensure road safety in the Freeport zone. The manifesto was also signed by concerned units from the Bureau of Customs and the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC) which operates New Container Terminals 1 & 2.

“We’ve been informed that within the next two weeks or so, there will be ships that will be coming to unload and use Subic as an extension port,” Garcia said.

Garcia added that because of this development, Subic’s container port intake is expected to grow from 38,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last year to 70,000 TEUs this year.

While the increase in volume would mean a significant increase in Subic port revenues, Garcia emphasized the importance of the Subic Port not to get congested just like what happened to Batangas after just one month of serving as an extension port to Manila.

He said that the Batangas problem had led Toyota (Philippines) to unload its shipment in Subic because its ship could not berth in Batangas. However, the firm had to drive its cargo containers all the way to Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“I don’t want the same thing to happen to Subic, so we need to be very efficient with the inflow and outflow of containers,” Garcia said.

Garcia also stressed that Subic has to be prepared for more cargo traffic because of reports that it was not only the Port of Manila that is congested, but also some major Asian ports like Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

“This is going to have a ripple effect,” Garcia said.

The SBMA official also revealed that another shipping company, the NYK, is seriously thinking of establishing a Subic-Singapore route. He also added that there were reports about a planned Shanghai-Subic route, which will open China on a more direct basis, instead of passing through Khaoshiung, Taiwan.

“Subic is really lucky because we are the only port on the Western seaboard of the Philippines that has the capacity at this point in time. Manila is congested. Batangas is congested. I hope we get congested soon, but that will be a happy problem,” Garcia said.

“Things are looking good for Subic as far as that’s concerned,” he added. (RBB)

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Gov’t to focus resources for Subic, Batangas, Cebu ports

Despite the need to expand the ports of Manila to address congestion, the government will focus its resources to expand the ports of Subic and Batangas as well as build a new port in Cebu to fan out development to the countryside, according to Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

Although government predicts that the ports of Manila will hit capacity ceiling soon, Abaya said expansion of Manila ports is not a priority in terms of budget allocation.

Echoing the position of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Abaya said it is logical to develop Subic and Batangas ports instead of expanding the ports of Manila.

“Instead of expanding Manila, we’d rather develop and expand the ports of Batangas and Subic so that we can really spread out development in the rural and provincial areas. (People from these provinces) get to benefit from having expanded ports,” he told reporters at the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing last Tuesday.

Abaya disclosed that the government is also mulling on building a new port in Northern Cebu to decongest Cebu City port by catering exclusively to container traffic.

“They call it La Consolacion (port) in Northern Cebu. It will be a big help to decongest Cebu City port and considering that it has a natural depth of around 16 meters, it is better suited for container (traffic than the existing one),” he added.

Abaya said the Japan International Cooperation Agency is helping the Philippine government in the feasibility study for the new port planned for Cebu. Meanwhile, government is yet to get a consultant for the feasibility study for the expansion programs for Subic and Batangas.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet Cluster on Port Congestion has reported an increase of cargo movements to and from the ports of Manila two weeks since the lifting of the Manila Daytime Truck ban.

Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said the cargo movement has improved by as much as 30 percent since September 13.

“The port operators are now working full-blast in its bid to reach the target yard utilization level in time for the expected influx of boxes brought about by the run-up to Christmas,” Almendras said.

According to the government, more shipping lines are also utilizing the ports of Subic and Batangas after being declared as extensions of Manila.

Starting October 2, the government is imposing higher storage fee for Customs-cleared ready-to-go containers to discourage cargo-owners from using the terminals as their virtual warehouses, from the current P500 per TEU per day after the 5-day free storage period to P5,000 after a 10-day free storage period.

“With the imposition of the higher storage fee starting Oct. 2, we expect to see further reduction of the volume of containers currently inside the two Manila ports,” Almendras explained.

Currently, the two port operators are stepping up efforts in the relocation of Customs-cleared ready-to-go containers to Subic, Batangas and Cabuyao in Laguna after being slowed down by the twin typhoon that hit the Metro for two consecutive weekends in September.

The Cabinet Cluster on Port Congestion is targeting to reach the 80 percent yard utilization level or approximately 64,800 TEUs should only be inside the ports to have enough room for optimum terminal efficiency and productivity.

“We continue to appeal to the public to remain considerate as we are already in our full-blast efforts in decongesting the ports. We guarantee that the benefits after decongesting our ports will outweigh all the inconveniences they encounter if we have a congested port,” Almendras stressed. (Kris Bayos, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO: Gantry cranes at the Port of Subic

http://www.mb.com.ph/govt-to-focus-resources-for-subic-batangas-cebu-ports/

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DOTC: No need to expand Manila ports

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is looking at the expansion of ports outside Manila such as Subic, Batangas and Cebu and the construction of a new port in Manila Bay.

DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said government would get a consultant from the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center to undertake a feasibility study for a plan to build a new port in in Sangley Point, Cavite and the expansion of Batangas and Subic Ports.

“Manila ports should not be expanded anymore. (Planning Secretary Arsenio) Balisacan said we have to expand outside Metro Manila , grow Subic and grow Batangas. In that way, we can spread the growth and decongest Metro Manila,” Abaya said.

For Manila ports, Abaya said the long-term plan is to rehabilitate and redesign them into city ports with real estate.

“I personally do not see the need to further expand (Manila ports) otherwise there will be more congestion on our roads, not on our ports. Eventually we’ll hit the ceiling in Manila ports,” Abaya said.

Abaya said Balisacan would rather expand Batangas and Subic because this would help spread development in rural, provincial areas.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has proposed to place a cap on Manila ports’ expansion and facilitate the diversion of cargo volume to Batangas and Subic Port to decongest roads to Manila.

“Shift cargo-handling function of Metro Manila to Subic and Batangas through controlling of future expansion of Manila ports and providing incentives to use Subic and Batangas Port,” said the JICA study on the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its surrounding areas.

Based on the JICA proposed short-term program for 2014 to 2016, over P 12 billion worth of expansion and modernization projects are set for the Manila ports: P6 billion for North Harbor, P1 billion for South Harbor and P4 billion for Manila international container terminal.

A proposed feasibility study estimates the cost of the North Harbor redevelopment at P 75 million and for other ports expansion and modernization, P 1 billion.

As part of the initiatives to decongest the Manila port, President Aquino declared the ports of Batangas and Subic Bay as extensions of the Port of Manila in response to the present port congestion problem. (Myla Iglesias, Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/dotc-no-need-expand-manila-ports

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Cap on Manila ports expansion pushed

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has proposed to the government to place a cap on the Manila ports’ expansion and facilitate diversion of cargo volume to Batangas and Subic ports to decongest roads to Manila.

JICA cited the need to “shift cargo-handling function of Metro Manila to Subic and Batangas through controlling of future expansion of Manila ports and providing incentives to use Subic and Batangas ports,” in its study on the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and Its Surrounding Areas.

Based on the JICA proposed short-term program for 2014 to 2016, there are over P12 billion expansion and modernization projects in the Manila port, which include P6 billion for North Harbor, P1 billion for South Harbor and P4 billion for Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).

Also, there is the proposed feasibility study for North Harbor redevelopment worth P75 million and for other port expansion and modernization worth P1 billion.

“The planned expansion projects for Manila ports recommended for rescheduling to promote diversion of cargo to Batangas and Subic ports as well as decongest road to Manila,” JICA said in the study conducted in March 2013 to March 2014.

JICA’s “proposed concept for gateway port development” is to “maximize capacities and development opportunities of (the) three ports.”

As part of the initiatives to decongest the Manila port, President Aquino declared the ports of Batangas and Subic as extensions of the Port of Manila in response to the present port congestion problem.

Last month, the Office of the President also approved the reduction of port charges and other vessel-handling related fees at the Port of Batangas and that paid by port operator International Container Terminals Services, Inc. (ICTSI).

The move is to attract more direct callers and port users to the Batangas Port while incentivizing MICT operator ICTSI for its share in de-clogging the Ports of Manila.

Direct callers at Batangas get 90 percent discount on port dues from the existing fee of $0.081 per gross revenue ton (GRT) per day to only $0.008 per GRT per day, as well as a 90 percent cut in dockage-at-berth from $0.039 per GRT to only $0.004 per GRT per day.

The new rates, however, will be applicable only for six months. The discount for the succeeding six months will be reduced to 50 percent for both, or from $0.081 GRT per day to $0.040 per GRT per day and from $0.039 per GRT to $0.020 per GRT per day. (Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/cap-manila-ports-expansion-pushed

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Subic, Batangas named extensions of Manila port

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has signed Executive Order 172 declaring the ports of Subic and Batangas as extensions of the Port of Manila during congestion and other emergency situations, such as strikes, lockouts and natural calamities, a Palace official said yesterday.

Under the EO, foreign vessels with the Port of Manila as their destination or origin may be directed to Batangas port or Subic Bay Freeport. Even if these vessels use these alternate ports, the Port of Manila will still be considered their berthing point.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said berthing and other port fees in Subic and Batangas will be applied to foreign vessels if they are directed to these alternate ports.

She said the EO was signed on Sept. 13 to give the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) the power to designate alternate piers for shipments to the Manila port.

“It is no secret that port congestion in Manila is one of the major factors that hinders the free flow of goods passing through the ports,” Valte said.

“We have seen the effects on the demand-supply chain, and on economic growth. The EO seeks to alleviate these problems,” she added.

The SBMA welcomed the President’s signing of EO 172 as it would stir business activities in Subic port.

Subic Bay Freeport’s New Container Terminal-2 has been assigned as an extension of the Port of Manila.

SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia said there are 4,000 shipping containers “overstaying” at the Port of Manila.

To address port congestion, he said the SBMA and PPA have agreed to ship the overstaying containers from Manila to Subic twice a week.

Garcia said the SBMA is considering reducing its current port fees to be competitive with fees in other ports so that more shippers would use Subic.

Biz groups back EO 172

Business groups support President Aquino’s declaration of Batangas and Subic ports as extension of the Manila port to address congestion.

Management Association of the Philippines president Gregorio Navarro said yesterday the issuance by Malacañang of EO 172 is a welcome development.

“This is a good move… I would assume that all the port fees would also be harmonized,” Navarro said.

For his part, Makati Business Club (MBC) executive director Peter Perfecto said “the EO will be more useful in the context of a comprehensive and long term logistics and transport plan for the country.”

With port congestion affecting the country’s competitiveness rankings, the MBC sees the need for such to be addressed urgently.

Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., said they support Malacañang’s move to solve port congestion.

He said the EO will help encourage greater utilization of the Batangas and Subic ports.

For his part, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines senior advisor John Forbes said they are hopeful utilization of Batangas and Subic ports will remain high.

“We would like to see two added cranes installed in Batangas port within the year to double its capacity,” he said.

The truck ban imposed by the city government of Manila in February has resulted in the pileup of cargo at Manila’s ports.

Last Saturday, Mayor Joseph Estrada lifted the truck ban. (Delon Porcalla, with Louella Desiderio, Bebot Sison Jr., Philippine Star)

PHOTO: The New Container Terminal (NCT) at the Port of Subic

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/09/17/1369962/subic-batangas-named-extensions-manila-port

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Subic hikes port fees on unclaimed shipment

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said it will increase the daily port fees by 500 percent to P5,000 from P1,000 for every unclaimed container starting next month to force consignees to collect their cargoes and prevent congestion inside the Freeport.

“After the Bureau of Customs has inspected, cleared, and issued release documents for the container, the consignee should immediately remove it from NCT-2 [New Container Terminal 2], otherwise a penalty of P5,000 a day will be charged against him,” said SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia.

NCT-2 and NCT-1, which is being used by existing port users in Subic, have a combined capacity of 600,000 twenty-foot equivalent units.

The agency retained the right to collect fees from the ships and containerized cargoes, after an agreement was signed to annex Subic Port as an extension of the Port of Manila to help solve the dense cargo traffic in Manila.

SBMA also maintained its right to reject any cargo or ship that might pose risks to the health, environment and security of inhabitants and stakeholders of the Subic Freeport.

Garcia said to help solve the problem, it was agreed upon that a ferry would start shipping the remaining 4,000 overstaying containers from Manila to Subic twice a week, or more frequently as needed.

He also assured the public that the agency would maintain orderliness at NCT-2, one of the two container terminals in Subic Port, and considered measures to prevent traffic congestion due to the expected rise in the number of trucks hauling containerized cargoes in and out of the Freeport. (Othel V. Campos, Manila Standard)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/09/12/subic-hikes-port-fees-on-unclaimed-shipment/

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Overstaying containers will still be moved to Subic

THE PHILIPPINES will continue moving twenty-foot metal containers to a facility outside Manila and charging storage fees for overstaying boxes to decongest its premier port.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and two harbor operators -- the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and the Asian Terminals Inc. -- made this announcement on Sunday, a day after a truck ban was lifted in Manila which was blamed for the port congestion.

“The lifting of the truck ban has given us the chance to decongest the port and get back to our normal way of life sooner than anticipated,” Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Juan C. Sta. Ana said in a statement.

Starting Oct. 1, the two port operators will be charging P5,000 per container if these remain parked at their facilities after the 5-day free storage period offered by the PPA, the statement said.

The move intends to discourage cargo owners from using terminals as their virtual warehouses, the statement said.

“However, instead of imposing the fine on the sixth day, the operators will impose the fee on the 11th day after getting clearance from the BoC (Bureau of Customs), effectively allowing cargo owners at least 10 days to get their cargoes out of the Manila ports,” the statement said.

On Friday, ICTSI and ATI transported 135 overstaying containers to the Subic port onboard the MV West Ocean 3, a vessel run by Super Shuttler Service of the ICTSI.

The vessel is again set to sail Tuesday to carry another 135 overstaying Customs-cleared containers and every Friday and Tuesday, thereafter, the statement said.

One thousand trucks have also been rented to carry some 2,000 overstaying Customs-cleared containers from Manila to a four-hectare facility in Cabuyao, Laguna, that started early Sunday morning, Sept. 14. They are expected to complete the transfer at noon Monday. This decongestion effort will be repeated for four Sundays by the terminal operators.

The operators are trying to remove about 5,000 TEUs of overstaying Customs-cleared ready-to-go containers at the Manila International Container Terminal and the Manila South Harbor to provide enough space for incoming cargoes. (BusinessWorld)

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=overstaying-containers-will-still-be-moved-to-subic&id=94472

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Subic’s NCT-2 now Manila’s extension port

Subic Bay Freeport’s New Container Terminal-2 (NCT-2) has been formally assigned as an extension of the Port of Manila as part of government efforts to solve cargo congestion in Manila.

This developed as executives of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that would take effect on Friday (Sept.12).

The MOA was signed by SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia and PPA General Manager Juan Sta. Ana.

Under the agreement, NCT-2 will be known as “Subic Bay Freeport-Manila Port Extension” and will be used to load, unload or transship containerized cargoes with Manila as port of destination, origin, or transshipment, but which cannot be accommodated in either the Manila International Container Port (MICP) or the South Harbor.

Garcia said the SBMA will retain the right to collect fees from the ships and containerized cargoes under this agreement, as well as to reject any cargo or ship that may pose risks to the health, environment, and security of inhabitants and stakeholders of the Subic Freeport.

In a briefing held here on Wednesday, Garcia also told reporters that the Port of Manila presently has about 4,000 container vans declared as overstaying, thereby exacerbating congestion in the country’s major port.

Garcia said that to help solve the problem, it was agreed upon that a ferry will start shipping the overstaying containers from Manila to Subic twice a week, or more frequently as needed.

For this, SBMA will charge the consignees P1,000 per twenty-footer container a day. However, starting October, the fee will be raised to P5,000 a day to force consignees to pick up their cargoes and to bring them out of Subic, the SBMA official explained.

“After the Bureau of Customs has inspected, cleared, and issued release documents for the container, the consignee should immediately remove it from NCT-2, otherwise a penalty of P5,000 a day will be charged against him,” said Garcia.

Garcia also assured the public that the SBMA is doing everything to maintain orderliness at NCT-2, and has considered measures to prevent traffic congestion due to the expected increase in the number of trucks hauling containerized cargoes in and out of the Freeport.

He said that the SBMA has consulted the management of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), which assigned Lane Number 3 on both sides of the toll road exclusively for cargo trucks.

Garcia added that the SBMA is also proposing to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to fund the construction of a new road that will directly link Subic’s New Container Terminal to the SCTEx. This project is estimated to cost more than P2 billion.

The SBMA chairman also noted that the Subic agency is considering reducing its current port charges to make them competitive with fees in other ports so that more shippers would use Subic.

“While the Manila extension is a done deal, we make sure that everything is already in place before more container vans are shipped here in Subic. At the same time, we are still finding ways to make Subic more competitive than its neighboring ports,” Garcia said.

The NCT-2 and NCT-1, which is being used by existing port users in Subic, have a total capacity of 600,000 TEUs. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Container ship docked at NCT2 in Subic Bay

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