The new management of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is pushing four strategies to propel the Subic Freeport, north of Manila, into becoming a major maritime destination and service provider.
“Our main goal still is to offer Subic as gateway for central and northern Luzon cargoes to relieve Manila port congestion,” SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia said.
In addition, the agency is pushing for expansion and rehabilitation of ports, piers and wharves to better service niche markets such as grains and fertilizers; establishment of more regional manufacturing and warehousing hubs; development of Subic as cruise ship destination; and creation of supplier clusters to support shipbuilders and promote Subic as a center for yacht, boat building and repairs.
Projects already in the pipeline include privatization of the Naval Supply Deport catering to bulk and general cargo; expansion of the grains terminal which has seen growing throughput in the last few years; and rehabilitation of Alava Wharf which is used for foreign and domestic vessels, passenger ships, ferry boats and general cargo vessels as well as military vessels, cruise ships and submarines.
The freeport is also looking at further improving Bravo Wharf, which is used for vessels carrying livestock, heavy equipment and bulk cargoes; and Rivera Wharf used for ferry boats, Philippine naval ships and landing of small craft carrying general cargo.
Similar improvements are in the works for the Marine Terminal; Sattler, Pol, and Leyte piers; and Boton and Nabasan wharves.
Photo from http://sbma.com/
