SBMA-HCPTI deal to spur growth in Subic Port

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan predicts that the P5.5-billion joint venture between the agency and the Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) will spur growth in the port businesses of this premier Freeport.

During the inauguration of the Subic Port at the Naval Supply Depot (NSD) here, the 10-year Subic Port joint venture will revitalize the ports, yards, and cargo handling inside this Freeport. The JV also includes the development, operation and management of several ports inside the former US naval base.

“Our goal at SBMA is in line with HCPTI’s goal of creating more employment opportunities, generate new income, boost the tourism, attract more foreign and local investments, and expand the trading business in Subic,” he said.

He added that the upgrade of the port facilities is expected to improve cargo processing efficiency, reduce ship turnaround times, and increase the volume of bulk and break bulk cargo handled.

HCPTI Chairman Regis Romero II said that with the inauguration of the Subic Port operation, the country is now able to provide enough buffer from global inflation and regional conflicts. He cited that unrest in Ukraine and Israel has put a damper on the global economy.

“Sustainability in business may face threats due to some uncertainties, especially from external forces like the unrest in Ukraine and Israel. But I remain confident, considering that our economy can withstand external shocks which has been proven many times over – from the 1997 Asian financial crisis to the 2008 global economic meltdown and all the way to the recent covid-induced market slump and worldwide inflation,” Romero said.

“Thanks to the fact that our economy is driven by consumption such that the nation can consume what it can produce. To a large extent, it makes our economy virtually self-sustaining. But to ensure economic expansion amid the growing domestic requirements, we have to trade beyond our borders and attract foreign capital and technologies,” Dr. Romero II stressed, apparently hinting at the priority goals of the SBMA-HCPTI joint venture. (MPD-SBMA)

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11 cruise ships to drop anchor at Subic Freeport after 3-year hiatus

The tourism industry is now on its feet as a cruise ship from Xiamen, China made its maiden voyage to the Subic Bay Freeport with a thousand passengers.

The Blue Dream Star is the first luxury vessel of the eleven scheduled voyages to drop anchor at the Freeport from October 12 to November 21, 2023.

The said cruise line is the first to offer outbound cruises from China since the onset of the pandemic.

The arrival of this cruise ship was made possible through the determination and keen efforts of SBMA Chairman and Administrator Jonathan Tan, whose thrust is to boost the tourism industry in the Freeport. 

Yesterday, Malacañang issued Executive Order Nos. 271 and 72 regarding the admission and stay of foreign nationals in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone as Temporary Visitors, who can stay for a maximum period of 14 days.

Ten more cruise ships are expected to arrive at Subic Bay bringing approximately 20 thousand tourists to the Freeport. (MPD-SBMA)

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Royal Canadian Navy in Subic Bay Freeport for goodwill visit

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) docked at the Rivera Wharf in this premier Freeport Thursday (Sept. 14) for a goodwill visit as part of Canada’s defense engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan, together with Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines David Bruce Hartman, welcomed the ship and its crew.

His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ottawa (FFH 341), a Halifax-class frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy will be here until September 19.

According to Ambassador Hartman, HMCS Ottawa is the first of the three Canadian ships to visit the Philippines this month.

“The arrival of HMCS Ottawa is a demonstration of the close and growing relationship between Canada and the Philippines, and of Canada’s commitment to stability and security in Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region,” Hartman said.

The official added, that as maritime nations, Canada and the Philippines share a common interest in upholding a rules-based international order and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Hartman also disclosed that during HMCS Ottawa’s visit to Subic Bay, a full program will be executed including professional development opportunities with the Philippine Navy, community outreach, and local engagements including a fun run and an exchange of the ship’s cooks. Port visits are ideal occasions for our sailors, soldiers, and aviators to explore and strengthen the deep connection that Canadians have with the Indo-Pacific through its people.

Commander Samuel Patchell, Commanding Officer of HMCS Ottawa, said, “Through our ongoing engagements in the Indo-Pacific, the Royal Canadian Navy is reinforcing partnerships with navies from across the region. I look forward to working closely with the Philippine Navy throughout our visit to Subic Bay in pursuit of our shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

HMCS Ottawa continues the tradition of RCN ships visiting the Philippines, after HMCS Vancouver’s successful visit last year. HMCS Ottawa has been deployed since August, and Subic Bay is its second port visit. Throughout the last quarter of 2023, HMCS Ottawa will conduct forward naval presence operations, cooperative deployments and participate in international naval exercises with partner nations.

“These activities build interoperability between Navies, while reaffirming our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Patchell added.

Meanwhile, a second Canadian vessel, the MV Asterix, an auxiliary supply vessel leased to the RCN, will also arrive in Subic Bay on Saturday, September 16.  The Asterix has been in and out of the region since March, 2023 to provide replenishment and resupply services to RCN ships.  The Asterix supports RCN vessels with capabilities in at-sea oiler replenishment, aviation support, medical and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, among others. 

Also, a third Canadian ship, HMCS Vancouver, will arrive in Manila at the end of the month. 

HMCS Ottawa, together with an embarked air detachment operating a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, has 250 highly trained and professional sailors, soldiers, and aviators. It is one of twelve Halifax-class frigates of the RCN. The ship is equipped with extensive anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare weapons and sensors to complement their substantial anti-air warfare defenses. The combination of these weapon and sensor systems, coupled with state-of-the-art damage control and machinery control systems, makes these frigates one of the most advanced warship designs in the world.

The ship’s namesake is the City of Ottawa, the capital of Canada, where approximately 15,000 Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians reside. (MPD-SBMA)

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Three shipping lines launch service connecting Subic Bay to South China and Vietnam

Emirates Shipping Line (ESL), ASEAN Sea Line (ASL) and Pacific International Line (PIL), have launched a new service from Subic Bay International Terminals (SBITC). 

The service connects International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Subic Bay operation in Zambales with South China and Vietnam. 

The South China-Vietnam-Philippines (SVP) service made its inaugural call at the Port of Subic on 9 June with the arrival of the 1,200-teu-Danum 175, operated by ESL. 

The feeder service, which makes weekly calls to Subic, caters to the growing trade requirements of South China and Vietnam. 

It also highlights the free trade agreement between the Philippines and other Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership members including Vietnam, which faces a growing demand for its agriculture and manufacturing exports. 

“The service offers a good opportunity to Northern and Central Luzon traders, who can leverage the increased connectivity to markets in Vietnam and China,” said Henry Dungca, SBITC terminal manager. 

The SVP service rotation is as follows: Shekou – Nansha – Xiamen – Manila North – Subic – Xiamen – Shekou – Nansha – Ho Chi Minh – Shekou. (SNL)

Source: https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/subic-bay-international-terminals-expand-south-china-vietnam-connectivity/

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Gov’t agencies seize shipment of ₱190-M misdeclared items at Subic Port

Coordinated efforts by government agencies have led to the seizure of misdeclared items worth a total of ₱190-million at the Port of Subic.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino revealed that the BOC Port of Subic, thru information from the Department of Agriculture (DA), discovered 58 containers loaded with 30,000 sacks of misdeclared refined sugar worth ₱150-million. 

Following the issuance of Pre-Lodgement Control Orders and Alert Orders by District Collector Maritess Martin, Paulino, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, and DA Assistant Secretary James Layug conducted an examination of the shipment on Thursday.

Aside from the 58 containers, two more containers of misdeclared assorted frozen meat products were seized which cost around ₱40 million. 

Martin said that the agency is set to issue a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) against the subject containers for violation of Section 1400, in relation to Section 1113 (f) of the Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Sugar Regulatory Authority and BOC Joint Memorandum Order No. 04-2002.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio lauded the vigilance of the pertinent agencies, citing, “the BOC continues to maximize its intelligence resources and intensify enforcement measures to thwart all attempts of smuggling, especially those involving agricultural products that negatively impact our local farmers and businesses.”

“It has always been a priority of the BOC to protect local consumers against the health hazards posed by these illegally imported goods,” he added.

SBMA Chairman Paulino lauded the personnel of the agency, together with the BOC and the DA for foiling the attempt to smuggle ₱150-million worth of misdeclared sugar, along with the P40-million worth of misdeclared frozen products.

“We will follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s thrust in ensuring that Subic Freeport will not be an entry point for smuggled items. The SBMA, BOC Port of Subic, and the DA are working hand-in-hand to thwart any illegal trade happening in Subic Freeport,” he said. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA chair lauds employees for apprehension of smuggling try in Subic

"Not on my watch!"

This was the statement made by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino during a media briefing here on Tuesday to warn those attempting to smuggle goods through the freeport. 

Paulino was reacting to reports that the Subic Bay Freeport “should be closed” to prevent smuggling. He cited that the apprehension of smugglers should be commended instead, citing that the SBMA is working closely with other government agencies in preventing smuggling in the country. 

The Freeport has been under fire from Albay Congressman Joey Salceda after the representative cited that the Subic Freeport should be closed due to the alleged “rampant smuggling” here. The chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means said that they will probe the Freeport for the supposed smuggling.

Chairman Paulino cited that prior to the docking of the ship, the SBMA conducts a Ship Pre-Arrival Meeting (SPAM) to verify the shipments and see if there were any misdeclaration, misclassification or undervaluation in their cargoes. 

Suspicious shipments will be held for investigation by corresponding government agency and will be charged accordingly. 

He said that the entry of items inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone is not smuggling in itself. It is still subject for joint inspection by the SBMA seaport department, together with the Bureau of Customs (BoC), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for verification of documents before they issue a pass. 

“If these items got out of the Subic Freeport gates without the proper documents, then that would be considered smuggling,” Paulino stressed. 

Moreover, he said that the seizure of smuggled items in the Subic Bay Freeport before it gains entry into Philippine territory is a sign that the SBMA and other government agencies tasked to guard the entry points are doing their job. 

“We believe that Representative Salceda is only looking out for the good of the country, but closing the Subic Bay Freeport is not the answer to stop the smuggling, especially of agricultural products,” Paulino said. 

The chairman said that, consequently, hundreds of thousands of workers here would lose their jobs, the billion-dollar transshipment businesses here would closed, billions of pesos in revenues would not be collected ergo will not be turned over to the national government.

“Closing the Freeport would mean that hundreds of foreign and local companies will relocate, some of the biggest tourism sites will close, and military presence in the area will have no direct support from other government agencies,” he said. (MPD-SBMA)  

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