The P2.7-billion container terminal to be constructed by the Anflocorp Group of Companies in Davao City in the Philippine island grouping of Mindanao may get little support from international carriers operating in the area.
“The planned new container terminal is not conducive to containerized cargo operation, which is our main process,” representatives of Maersk Line and subsidiary MCC Transport said.
They added other shipping lines operating in the area such as Regional Container Lines, Marianas, Jardine Shipping, and TMS Shipping also share the same view.
“We are not really excited about having a new international container terminal here in Davao. What we really need is the expansion of Sasa Wharf instead of having other ports constructed,” the representatives of Maersk and MCC Transport said.
Sasa Wharf in Davao port is the city’s principal port.
The planned facility in Panabo City in Davao del Norte aims to be an alternative port for shippers using Sasa Wharf. Construction is set by the first quarter of 2012. Completion is expected in 2013.
The terminal is designed to handle 240,000 twenty-foot equivalent units.
Anflocor said it is investing on the project due to the swelling volume of exports, particularly of banana and pineapple, to and from the region.
“There are other ports such as that of Tefasco that already offer the same service but shipping lines still prefer Sasa due to its efficiency and cost effectivity,” the shipping line representatives said.
Tefasco or Terminal Facilities and Services Corp is engaged principally in stevedoring and arrastre services for foreign and domestic cargoes in Davao City. The company operates a 7.5-hectare private wharf facility with three berths that can dock three vessels and one barge simultaneously.
The bulk of Davao’s cargo traffic is mainly coursed through Sasa Wharf despite the presence of about 25 other ports that can also handle containerized cargoes.
Of the 556,351 TEUs total volume for all ports in Davao for the first 10 months of 2011, volume handled by Sasa Wharf reached 478,994 TEUs, according to the Philippine Ports Authority. Private ports only handled 76,667 TEUs for the period.
Photo from http://www.ppasomin.com.ph/
