THE port of Legazpi expects its cargo volume to double and for the facility to reach its full capacity of 600,000 metric tons (MT) next year. This, after posting an average increase of 30% in the last two years.
Richard Benjamin Imperial, president of Regal Arrastre and Stevedoring, Inc (RASI), the port’s private cargo-handling operator, said the target could easily be reached this year if not for capacity constraints and the damage sustained by Berth 1 from a recent typhoon. Berth 1, which handles international vessels, will be repaired by yearend.
At the very least, Imperial said Legazpi port will handle 450,000 MT this year.
Imperial said he expects the port to also benefit from additional traffic from 10 new roll on-roll off (ro-ro) ports in the Bicol region recently incorporated into the country’s Ro-Ro Highway.
“We are looking at expanding capacity to address congestion which we expect to further deepen when (Berth 1) becomes fully operational,” he said.
From January to July, the port’s cargo volume of 330,000 MT has already eclipsed the annual target of 300,000 MT set by RASI. It is also 48% more than the 223,000 MT handled in the same period last year.
The port of Legazpi mostly processes bulk and breakbulk cargo, including cement, rice and other basic commodities mainly from its top client San Miguel Corp.
RASI earlier installed additional cargo-handling equipment such as cranes and forklifts, as well as closed-circuit television (CCTV), the latter at a cost of P300,000. Cargo owners may access CCTVs for free and in real time via the internet.
RASI’s port contract is until 2018 and may be extended for another 10 years.
