Busier PH ports reflect improved trading activities
Local seaports facilitated heavier cargo volume in the first quarter, mostly accounted for by imported shipments as global trading activities continued to pick up, according to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
According to the latest PPA data, cargo throughput in the first three months grew by 11 percent to 65.77 million metric tons (MT) from 59.52 million MT in the same period a year ago.
The latest figure represents about 22 percent of the 301.47-million MT projection for the year.
Bulk or about 57 percent of the total cargo volume in the first quarter comprised foreign shipments, amounting to 37.49 million MT. Broken down, imported cargo stood at about 26.77 million MT, while the remaining goods were exported.
“This notable improvement can be attributed in part to the steady performance of anchorage operations, particularly bulk cargo handling, further contributing to the rise in total cargo tonnage at Manila International Container Terminal,” PPA general manager Jay Santiago told the Inquirer.
In addition, the ports regulator said that the National Capital Region-South and Palawan also handled a substantial amount of foreign shipments for the period.
Crude minerals, petroleum drive growth
“Overall, this upward trend reflects a strengthening in global trade and shipping activities,” he said.
Domestic shipments, meanwhile, reached 28.28 million in the first quarter. About 15 million of the local cargo volume comprised outbound shipment.
PPA said the growth was driven by increased shipments of crude minerals and petroleum products at the Bataan and Aurora ports.
Along with these, the ports regulator observed a “significant rise in shipments of coal, sand and power-generating equipment” at the Northern Luzon ports.
Overall, the majority or 29.55 million MT of the cargo volume passed through the ports in Manila and Northern Luzon.
The next busiest ports were in Visayas with 12.68 million MT and Southern Luzon with 11.58 million MT.
With cargo volume anticipated to grow, the PPA is crafting a master plan to establish 10 seaports across the country to improve connectivity and supply chain.
These terminals are located in: Davila, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; Taytay, Palawan; Buenavista, Guimaras; San Carlos, Negros Occidental; Dumaguete, Negros Oriental; Lazi, Siquijor; Catbalogan, Samar; and Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Sur.
In addition, it has been working on 14 big-ticket port projects, which are targeted to be completed by 2028.
