Potential investments expected in Subic Freeport following visit of Thai biz delegation

A delegation of Thai business leaders, led by Her Excellency Makawadee Sumitmor, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Philippines, recently visited Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) to explore promising investment opportunities in this strategic economic zone.

The delegation was warmly received by Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), who highlighted the region's strategic location within the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and its potential as a hub for trade and industry.

On 26 July 2026, at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), members of the Thai business delegation met with SBMA’s Business and Investment Group (BIG) officers to discuss avenues for collaboration and potential investments in the SBF.

Ambassador Sumitmor emphasized the strong investment potential for Thai companies in sectors such as energy, logistics, technology, digital innovation, and various service industries. Representatives from the Thai embassy, the delegation, and PTT Philippines Corporation expressed optimism about future partnerships.

The delegation also toured key facilities and businesses within the Freeport, identifying strategic areas for investment in the LEC. PTT Philippines Corporation, a leading oil and energy company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thailand’s PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (PTT OR), serves as a strong foundation for expanding Thai ventures within the region.

The Subic Bay Freeport Zone plays a crucial role as a western maritime gateway in the Luzon Economic Corridor, linking major economic centers including Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas. The LEC initiative aims to enhance infrastructure and logistics, fostering greater connectivity through substantial planned investments.

Thailand is actively pursuing opportunities in trade, logistics, and manufacturing within the Philippines’ LEC. The relative proximity of Subic Bay to Thailand, accessible by sea within three to four days, offers significant logistical advantages for Thai businesses seeking regional expansion.

Current Thai investments, exemplified by PTT Philippines, set the stage for expanded engagement across the corridor’s energy and freeport sectors, signaling growing bilateral economic cooperation. (30)

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Ocean Network Express adds Subic Bay calls on Southeast Asian service

Subic Bay International Terminals (SBITC), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) operation at the Port of Subic, is now part of Ocean Network Express’ (ONE) China-Thailand-Philippines (CTP) service.

The inaugural call of the CTP service to SBITC on 26 March was executed with the 2,741-TEU boxship MARINA ONE. The service links the Port of Subic to East Asia, complementing the existing route between the Philippines and Singapore by further enhancing convenience for customers. 

It also provides a direct link from Thailand to Subic via the Laem Chabang port.

With a turnaround time of 28 days, the service rotates through the following ports: Laem Chabang (Thailand), Cai Mep (Vietnam), Manila (Philippines), Subic (Philippines), Qingdao (China), Pusan (South Korea), Shanghai (China), Laem Chabang.

Operated by a consortium of ONE and Regional Container Lines (RCL), the CTP service utilizes four vessels ranging from 2,400 to 2,700 TEUs.

SBITC sits strategically within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales with access to major intra-Asia shipping routes, and serves as the gateway to northern and central Luzon. (SNL)

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BOC seizes 7,029MT sugar from Thailand in Port of Subic

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Subic seized around 7,029 metric tonnes of sugar on Thursday evening as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to thwart the illegal hoarding of sugar imports in the country. 

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the BOC Port of Subic held the Taiwanese cargo ship MV Bangpakaew at the Naval Supply Depot (NSD) on Thursday evening.

He said that the ship that came from Bangkok containing 142,798 bags or equivalent to 7,029 metric tonnes of imported sugar arrived on August 17, 7pm. A part of the shipment have already been unloaded into three trucks supposedly en route to Oro Agri Trade in Rosales, Pangasinan.

According to Paulino, the vessel has allegedly been using recycled import documents and has already paid its taxes worth P44 million. The cargo vessel is currently on hold for further investigation.

“We are following President Marcos’ mandate to ensure that there is no hoarding of sugar in the country. The President made it clear that he does not want to import sugar, and certainly he does not want the illegal hoarding of sugar that causes prices to skyrocket,” he said.

Recently, the BOC Port of Subic intercepted various illicit cigarettes worth P253 Million from June to July 2022.

According to Port of Subic District Collector Maritess Martin, previously, 972 master cases of cigarettes consigned to Thousand Sunny valued at P40.09 million were confiscated in June. She added that the Port also intercepted 1,003 master cases of cigarettes worth P41.3 million, consigned to Russhi Knish Consumer.

“Another shipment of Thousand Sunny Enterprise arrived at the Port despite the revocation of their accreditation. It contained 1,000 master cases of assorted cigarettes valued at P42.2 million,” she added.

In July 2022, the Port seized another 2,157 master cases of cigarettes consigned to Proline Logistics Philippines Inc. amounting to P84.9 million.

The BOC-Subic also received information that another shipment consigned to Proline Logistics Inc. would arrive at the Port.

The BOC immediately issued a Pre-lodgment Control Order against the subject shipment, which contained 1,122 master cases of Marvels Filter Kings Cigarettes valued at P46,276,890.00. Martin vowed to protect the national borders against unscrupulous importers and illicit traders through intensified profiling and monitoring of import goods. (MPD-SBMA)

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Royal Thai Navy vessels, Japanese destroyer in Subic for goodwill visit

Two vessels of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) docked at this premier Freeport on Wednesday as part of a goodwill visit to the Philippines until Saturday.

These are His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Taksin (FFG-422), a Naresuan-class frigate, and the HTMS Krabi (OPV-551), a modified river-class patrol vessel.

Philippine Navy’s Fleet-Marine Ready Force chief Commodore Toribio Adaci Jr., who welcomed the foreign naval force headed by Rear Admiral Sompong Poowiang, said the RTN, with 500 of its finest naval crew, will conduct training with the Philippine Navy during the visit.

Poowiang and Commander Archarigaruth Noichinda also made a courtesy call at the office of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Thursday.

SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma said the naval visit “is not only an opportunity for the Philippine government to further strengthen maritime relations with the government of Thailand, (but) is also a manifestation of the critical role that the Subic Bay Freeport plays in enhancing maritime cooperation between the Philippines and its allies.”

Adaci also underscored the significance of the visit as a “continuing effort to strengthen the relationship between our governments and navies.”

Poowiang conveyed his appreciation for the warm welcome and expressed his keenness in the scheduled engagements between the two navies during their stay.

Meanwhile, The JS Samidare (DD-106), a Murasame-class destroyer of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), will dock at Subic Bay's Alava Wharf for a goodwill visit from Friday to Sunday.

Captain Jonathan Zata, Philippine Navy spokesperson, said the ship will be dropping its anchor around 9 a.m. Friday (May 18).

JS Samidare will coming along with two SH-60K patrol helicopters and 200 officers and enlisted personnel.

This is the second visit of the JSMDF in the Philippines this year. The first one was when JS Ikazuchi (DD-107), another Murasame-class destroyer, came in late January.
sbm
The Murasame-class destroyer is the first class of the second-generation general-purpose destroyers of the JMSDF. (JRR/MPD-SBMA with report from PNA)

PHOTOS:

[1] The Royal Thai Navy’s frigate HTMS Taksin (FFG-422) and offshore patrol vessel HTMS Krabi (OPV-551) dock side by side at the Alava Wharf in the Subic Bay Freeport upon arrival on Wednesday for a goodwill visit in the Philippines until Saturday (MPD-SBMA)

[2] The Philippine Navy brass band welcomes officials and crew of the Royal Thai Navy’s frigate HTMS Taksin (FFG-422) and offshore patrol vessel HTMS Krabi (OPV-551) upon arrival at the Alava Wharf in the Subic Bay Freeport upon arrival on Wednesday for a goodwill visit in the Philippines until Saturday (MPD-SBMA)

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