The Port of Subic, the former US Naval base on Subic Bay Freeport zone in the Philippines, is looking to make some significant changes that will boost trade and efficiency.
The first plan is to increase port operations with Taiwanese-based shipping lines after executive officials from Taiwan Maritime and Port Bureau expressed interest in a transhipment partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
Lawyer Randy Escolango, SBMA officer-in-charge (OIC) administrator, commenting on the proposed partnership said, “We are hoping that this partnership with the Port of Taiwan will come to reality. Because this is in line with the priority programs of President Duterte’s administration making the Port of Subic to become a major port in Asia”.
The collaboration intends to increase the volume of container traffic between the Port of Subic Bay and Taiwan Ports, through the Yang Ming Shipping Line.
The SBMA are also planning to build a P 100 billion multi-modal coastal highway to link the free port to the Port of Manila as part of efforts to decongest the metropolis. The building time for this project is estimated at around 2 years.
SBMA Chairman Martin B. Diño said “Many economic and social forces are now at play and our rapid and efficient response is critical to creating the environment conducive to promoting further growth and development. The economic benefits from the project would be immediate and enormous”.
The elevated highway-railway along the coast of Manila Bay, could lead to the development of Subic and Clark as new centres of manufacturing, industry, finance and technology.
Earlier this year (2016), DP World were mulling over a Philippines collaboration.
