The Port of Surigao in the island grouping of Mindanao was the Philippines’ top port in terms of cargo throughput for 2011, according to a Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) report.
Surigao accounted for 12.20% of last year’s total cargo throughput, handling 21.64 million metric tons (mmt), up 30.28% from the previous year’s figure. Surigao exports mainly minerals, including iron ores.
The country’s total throughput for 2011 reached 177.334 mmt, up 3.97% compared to the previous year’s 170.566 mmt. The increase was propelled by strong performance of the country’s export sector and the local containerized cargo trade.
In close second was Batangas Port, which handled 20.52 mmt, an improvement of 9.62% over 18.72 mmt posted in 2010. An oil port and a major drop-off point for vehicle imports headed for Luzon, Batangas represented 11.57% of the aggregate throughput.
Manila International Container Terminal, the country’s main international gateway, settled for third place handling 18.69 mmt last year for a market share of 10.54%. The figure is 2.3% higher than the 18.27 mmt handled a year earlier.
Eating up 10.40% of the total was fourth-placer North Harbor. It handled 18.44 mmt in 2011, down 9.43% from 20.36 mmt. PPA attributed the lower volume to less exports of grains, cement and fertilizers.
Still, North Harbor was the country’s top port last year in terms of domestic containerized cargo.
The Port of Limay was in fifth spot with an 8.9% share of the total. The oil port handled 15.80 mmt in 2011 or 3.19% lower than 16.32 mmt in 2010.
