The Manila Times

SBMA chief reveals P6.33-M port expansion plan

- MAHATMA RANDY DATU

— Subic Bay Metropolit­an Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administra­tor Eduardo Jose Aliño revealed the P6.33-million port expansion plan in the country’s premier freeport.

Speaking before the participan­ts of the Central Luzon Transport & Trade Conference 2024 held at Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort on May 24, Aliño presented Subic’s port expansion plan under the Japan Internatio­nal Cooperatio­n Agency (JICA).

“Subic Bay Freeport will have additional berthing facilities in the Boton area alongside the expansion of the Boton Wharf with an approximat­e cost of P6.33 million,” Aliño said.

“The plan would include the reclamatio­n for a terminal expansion with a 10-hectare area, expansion and deepening of the existing wharf by 1.5 meters, and the inclusion of a general cargo and a roll-on roll-off terminal.”

Aliño said the New Container Terminal 3 will also have an expansion plan to include additional berthing facilities and a quay with a length of 410 meters and width of 700 meters, a total area of 28.7 hectares, and a depth of 16 meters. The said project will cost P20 billion.

The agency also plans to create additional berthing facilities at the San Bernardino Road which will have a multipurpo­se terminal that has a quay length of 400 meters, an area of 17.4 hectares, and a depth of 12 meters.

“The constructi­on of the 400-meter wharf will have warehouses and open spaces, an empty container yard, and a truck weigh scale area. The expansion at the San Bernardino Road will cost around P10 billion,” Aliño added.

The SBMA also aims to implement the Port Expansion Plan at the Redondo Peninsula that includes the constructi­on of a P9.35-billion multipurpo­se terminal with a total area of 30 hectares and a depth of 13.5 meters.

“This will also include the constructi­on of a 600-meter wharf, warehouses, an admin building, truck parking, truck weigh scale, sentry gate, open storage, offices and facilities for workers,” Aliño also said.

A proposed multipurpo­se terminal at the Lower Mau area of the Subic Bay Freeport is also in the works that includes a 570-meter quay with a total area of 17.2 hectares and a depth of 13 meters. The said facility will have the same amenities as the other multipurpo­se terminals, but has an approximat­e cost of P10.19 million.

Aliño added that the SBMA is bullish on the shipping industry, citing that Subic Bay Freeport can easily handle the shipping industry in the North and Central Luzon.

“This is why we are pushing for these expansion plans, we want the world to know that Subic Bay Freeport is more than capable of handling their cargo,” he added.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines