More shipping containers arriving at Subic port

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines  – Amid congestion at the Manila port, the number of shipping containers arriving at the port of Subic has doubled, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) reported over the weekend.

SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia said the container volume reached 83,000 twenty-foot equivalent units this year compared to 43,000 TEUs last year or a 93 percent increase.

Garcia attributed the rise to the efforts of the SBMA and partner locators to ease up cargo processing.

“We are the only port in Luzon that has a one-stop-shop processing and this gives us the competitive edge,” Garcia said.

He said offices of the SBMA and the Bureau of Customs as well as the Landbank are in one place.

“At the rate the port of Subic is performing, we can expect shipping volume this year to double last year’s yearend record of 77,000 TEUs,” Garcia said.

He described Subic as the answer to Manila’s  traffic and port congestion woes, noting that unlike the port of Batangas, which has reached its full capacity, shippers could come to Subic any time.

Seven major shipping lines including Maersk, APL, NYK, and SITC are calling on the port of Subic on a regular basis.