By Jite Eriabie
Driven by growing domestic demand and a booming economy, cargo volume handled by Philippines ports grew 7% in the first half to 125.8m metric tons (mt) from 117.1m metric tons in the previous corresponding period, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said.
Container throughput for the first half jumped 12% to 3.5m teu from 3.1m in the previous corresponding period.“Port traffic sustained its growth momentum propelled by the surging domestic demand as well as private investment, which drove economy wide growth in view of the government’s expansionary fiscal-policy stance,” PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago was quoted as saying in local media.
Santiago added that volumes were also boosted by the implementation of the Terminal Appointment Booking System as well as other measures to solve the congestion problems at the Manila ports.
In addition, productivity, especially at the key Manila terminals at anila South Harbor, Manila North Harbor and the Manila International Container Terminal, remains very healthy with no sign of congestion, Santiago said.
The Manila ports had a combined yard utilization rate of 53%, combined berth occupancy rate of 57% and quay crane productivity came in at 26 moves per crane per hour.
Meanwhile ports in the growing but troubled southern regions also did well. “Mindanao ports, particularly those in Northern Mindanao, continued to show growth notwithstanding the ongoing security concerns in the region,” Santiago said.
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