Cargo volume at Cebu’s port increased 8.4% in the first half of 2017 to 18.971 million metric tons (mmt) from 17.502 mmt in the same period last year, data from the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) showed.
Domestic cargoes, which accounted for 80% of the total, grew 10% to 15.190 mmt from 13.829 mmt in the first half of 2016. Foreign cargoes likewise improved, expanding 3% to 3.781 mmt from 3.672 mmt.
Data from CPA showed that cargo volume has continuously increased for the last four years after declining in 2012. CPA covers all ports, seas, lakes, rivers, and all other navigable inland waterways within the province of Cebu.
Container traffic rose 7.4% in the first half of the year to 468,342 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from 436,004 TEUs year-on-year.
Domestic containers went up 15% to 269,638 TEUs from 234,105 TEUs. Foreign containers, on the other hand, declined 1.6% to 198,704 TEUs from 201,899 TEUs.
Ship calls slightly increased by 1.5% to 66,463 vessels from 65,496 ships last year. Domestic vessel calls inched up 1.5% to 65,904 from the previous 64,909 while foreign vessel calls dropped 5% to 559 from 587.
Passenger traffic also improved with a 1.6% growth to 11.070 million passengers from 10.892 million passengers last year.
CPA is currently expanding the area adjacent to Cebu International Port (CIP) by extending the concrete deck towards the sea to add 4,400 square meters of backup area. Another 10,000 square meters of backup area will be available inside the CIP with the relocation of several offices and the vehicle maintenance area.
These measures are being done while CPA awaits the construction of a new international terminal in Consolacion, Cebu, that is expected to address growing volumes in the main terminal. – Roumina Pablo
