Lack of port projects in PPP list questioned

MANILA, Philippines - The head of one of the country’s biggest port operations has questioned the absence of port development opportunities in the list of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects being pushed by the Aquino administration.

Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) chairman Eusebio Tanco said the present PPP does not consider unsolicited proposals from the private sector to undertake infrastructure projects.

“We are considering several port projects but they don’t want an unsolicited bid. Everything has to go through bidding and you have to wait for them,” he said.

He said there are no port projects in the list of PPP priority projects. “We have lots of money and we want to expand. But we are still waiting for some opportunities for another port project,” Tanco said.

It will be recalled that ATI recently sold its stake in the Mariveles Grains Terminal.

Tanco said ATI is particularly keen on several local port development projects and is not planning to expand overseas.

“We want to stay here. We want to help the country. Whatever Asian Terminals earns, it will be reinvested here,” Tanco said.

ATI on Thursday inaugurated two brand new cranes which are intended to improve the turnaround in Manila South Harbor container terminal.

“With these new cranes, [our turnaround] will be of international standards,” Tanco said, adding that these cranes offer the highest number of moves per hour and can each carry two 20-foot containers simultaneously.

Tanco said around P1 billion was spent for the acquisition of these ship-to-shore cranes from Germany. The cranes were delivered in parts and were assembled in the Philippines, the first of its kind in the country.

ATI is also investing another P1 billion for the establishment of about two hectares of container yard outside the port to address possible congestion in the South Harbor.