SBMA, Belgium eye sister port pact

A sister port agreement between the Port of Subic and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is being considered during the visit of delegates from the Embassy of Belgium to the Philippines here on March 16, 2026.

Belgian Ambassador Her Excellency Vladislava Iordanova paid a visit along with officials from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International (PoABI), the consultancy and investment subsidiary of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

During their visit, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) team, led by Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, proposed a Sister Port Agreement between the two ports to enhance the traditional friendship between the SBMA and the PoABI.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the largest petrochemical cluster in Europe and the second-largest in the world; it is also the largest car-handling port in Europe, handling more than 3 million cars per year. It has two oil refineries and is a frontrunner in the energy transition.

The port is also a driver of economic growth with 4.5% GDP contribution and a total annual throughput of +370 million tonnes, including +13 million TEUs.

Meanwhile, the Subic Bay Freeport has several locators with European Equity, including Agila NY Naval Inc. and Agila South Inc. from the Netherlands, with a combined investment commitment of US$350 million.

Other notable companies inside the Freeport with EU Equities include PMNFTC Inc. from Switzerland with US$7M committed investment; Luxury Subic Home Development Corp. from Belarus with US$1M committed investment; and Schenker Philippines Inc. from Germany with US$0.9M committed investment. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA and Port of Kaohsiung Ink Landmark Sister Port Agreement

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has officially entered into a Sister Port Agreement with the Port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s premier maritime hub, marking a transformative step toward making Subic Bay a world-class, eco-friendly gateway in Southeast Asia. 

The agreement was formalized on February 25, 2026, at the Port of Kaohsiung Cruise Terminal. It was signed by SBMA Director Patrick Jean O. Gonzales, representing Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, and Taiwan International Ports Corp. (TIPC) Chairman Chou Yung-hui. 

The ceremony was witnessed by key officials, including Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-Mai and SBMA Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Atty. Martin Kristoffer Roman, signaling high-level commitment from both regions to foster maritime synergy. 

A Blueprint for Green Maritime Operations 

Central to the pact is Subic’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality. By leveraging Kaohsiung’s expertise as an award-winning "EcoPort," the SBMA aims to implement advanced green technologies, including shore-side power and sustainable waste management systems. 

"Our collaboration with the Port of Kaohsiung is a cornerstone of our 'Green Subic' initiative," said SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao. 

"By adopting their proven models for sustainable infrastructure, we are ensuring that Subic remains competitive in a global market that increasingly demands environmentally responsible logistics." 

Boosting Regional Trade and Tourism 

The agreement establishes a framework for immediate cooperation in several high-impact areas: 

• Logistics Efficiency: Promoting increased shipping frequency and direct routes to lower costs for Philippine and Taiwanese exporters. 
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• Cruise Industry Growth: Collaborating on terminal management to position Subic as a key destination in the Asian cruise circuit. 
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• Expertise Sharing: Formalizing exchanges in port development, security management, and digital transformation. 

Expanding Global Connectivity 

The Port of Kaohsiung becomes Subic’s third international sister port, joining the Port of Virginia (USA) and the Port of Eilat (Israel). This alliance is part of a broader push by the SBMA to integrate the Freeport into the world's most efficient maritime networks, with future talks planned for hubs in San Diego, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City. (SNL)

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Subic Freeport eyes sisterhood pact with Spanish ports

In its proactive efforts to promote more businesses and marine vessel traffic in the Philippines and Spain, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials are now looking into seeking a sister port agreement with two Spanish ports.

This came after the Federation of Philippine American Chamber of Commerce (FPACC) delegation led by President of Tourism Numeriano V. Bouffard paid a courtesy visit to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño.

During the visit, Bouffard recommended that Subic Bay establish ties with the Ports of Barcelona and Bilbao.

“This is certainly welcome news to both our countries. Both the Ports of Barcelona and Bilbao are gearing towards conducting business in renewable energies, something that the Subic Bay Freeport could learn from,” Aliño said.

Aliño said that this agreement between the Subic Bay Freeport and the Ports of Barcelona and Bilbao will be through the business network of FPACC as part of their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the SBMA to promote mutual business interests, trade, and business.

Bouffard was in Subic Freeport to invite Aliño to be one of the panel speakers in the FPACC Business Event that will be held in Orlando, Florida in the United States of America in June this year.

The SBMA official also cited that the agency will be launching trade missions in Spain this year, particularly during the third quarter, and in June 2025 in Orlando and Mexico to promote Subic ports and target companies engaged in logistics, renewable energy and manufacturing.

Currently, the Port of Barcelona is in the process of establishing a new zero-emission nautical bus service powered by solar panels or hydrogen. The said nautical bus service will also be connected to an electrical grid.

The management board of the Port of Barcelona has also approved the use of six hectares of area in the energy wharf for future green fuels and manufacturing plants.

Meanwhile, the Port Authority of Bilbao is also preparing for the second phase of the central breakwater and the electrification of docks, providing ships with electricity while their engines are turned off. The electrification of these docks would reduce carbon dioxide emissions, sounds and vibrations. (MPD-SBMA)

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