Subic Port to Double Capacity to 1.2 M TEUs
By Louella G. Vizcocho
SBMA Chairman & Administrator Roberto V. Garcia is taking no chances, he wants to make sure that Subic Port will be ready as a viable alternative to the Port of Manila.
According to Chairman Garcia, cargo volume in Manila is expected to double to 6 million TEUs in two to three years, and so should Subic’s capacity, now at 600,000 TEUs, to as much as 1.2 million TEUs.
“Although presently underutilized, with 15-20% only of its rated capacity being used, this is expected to pick up with more shipping lines coming to Subic,” Garcia said confidently.
The Terms of Reference (TOR) for bidding of consultants that will do the detailed engineering is already being finalized. “We expect to award the consultancy within the year,” Garcia said.
The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) is already compiling data from various government agencies concerned.
The expansion of Subic Port will cost over some P10 billion.
The potential of the Port of Subic as alternative came to the fore during last year’s port congestion in Manila resulting from the truck ban imposed by the city government.
With the lifting of the truck ban, the congestion has since subsided.
However, Garcia said the need to expand the Port of Subic remains a necessity. “We may yet maximize our volume capacity in Subic but to expand when the volume is already there would too late,” Garcia said.
