PPA revises cargo, revenue forecast to at best flat this year The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is overhauling its growth forecast for this year despite registering a banner year in 2016. The state-owned corporation now anticipates growth to be nominal this year from the previous year’s exponential growth due to vital developments over the past three months. PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago explained that the tapered expectation is attributable to the continuing volatility of the Philippine currency as well as the expected drop in the operation of the mining industry in the Philippines. “Last year was a great year for the agency as we were able to post significant figures in terms of cargo volume and revenues,” Santiago said. “This year, however, will be different as we anticipate it to be nominal due to several developments particularly in the mining industry, which has been one of JOINT COOPERATION our growth areas during the past couple The Philippine Ports Authority and the City of Kobe forged a mutual agreement to promote of years,” Santiago stressed. stable and sustainable development of ports. turn to page 7 Manila ranks 36th among top 100 Container ports The Port of Manila jumps two notches higher to number 36 in the ranking of the top 100 Container Ports, according to a report released by Lloyd’s List and Containerization International in 2016, covering container ports’ performance for 2015. The report showed that the Philippines was able to anchored on the 6.1% pace posted in the third quarter for increase its ranking after the country was shielded from the period in review. Philippine GDP in the three months the slowdown in China that has hurt other emerging through to December for the period increased 6.3%. nations in 2015, as government stepped up efforts Manila’s economy, for the whole of the period, grew 5.8%. to unlock bottlenecks in state spending and entice “Port of Manila registered a 4.3% hike in container investment. throughput, with principal facility the Manila International It added that the growth in the country’s Gross Container Terminal (MICT) posting a 4.4% increase in Domestic Product (GDP) exceeded expectations turn to page 6 portside... A. Bonifacio Drive, BIMP-EAGA, Asean logistics developments South Harbor, Port Area, PPA joins International Port Conference in Kobe, Japan Manila 1018 Philippines highlight 2017 Ports and Shipping Confab T: (+632) 527-8356 F: (+632) 527-4855 The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) attended the International Port W: www.ppa.com.ph The strong emergence of BIMP-EAGA and the massive developments Conference in Kobe, Japan on February 12-14, 2017. along the Asean logistics gateways toward the completion of the th portside... GENERAL MANAGER Asean Economic Community highlighted the 9 Ports and Shipping The event centered on Port Logistics and PPA AGM for Operations Hector E. Miole, meanwhile, Jay Daniel R. Santiago Conference held in the country in February this year. Perspectives in Globalized Society. PPA General made a presentation on Port Logistics Control for Asian Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago led the Philippine Ports, which is one of the main talking points during the AGM FOR OPERATIONS contingent along with PPA Assistant General Manager first day of the conference held at the Kobe Portopia Hector E. Miole for Operations Hector E. Miole and PPA Assistant Hotel. Other topics discussed include Environmental General Manager for Finance and Administration Atty. Policy for Port Management and Environment AGM FOR ENGINEERING Elmer Nonnatus A. Cadano. Surrounding Port and Cruise Industry. Constante T. Fariñas, Jr. The Philippines is one of the more than 20 ports in On the second day, Tri-ports seminar and Kobe’s Sister and Friendship Ports’ Meeting was held to tackle AGM for FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Asia, America and Europe invited to attend the event, th Elmer Nonnatus A. Cadano which also coincided with the 150 Anniversary of the the “Redevelopment of a Port City Waterfront Area”. Delegates were also engaged in a tree-planting Transport Secretary Port of Kobe. Arthur P. Tugade Kobe City Mayor Kizo Hisamoto and Dr. Katsuhiko activity and excursion in the City of Kobe. was the Guest of Kuroda, Professor Emeritus at Kobe University, As a side event, the PPA and the City of Kobe forged EDITORIAL BOARD Honor and Speaker delivered their respective welcome speech during the a mutual agreement to promote stable and sustainable during the 9th development of ports. (ATMB) n Ports and Shipping Opening Ceremony. CHAIR Conference. He also Jay Daniel R. Santiago led the ribbon-cutting to formally open MEMBERS the Exhibition of Hector E. Miole the event with PPA Constante T. Fariñas, Jr. GM Jay Daniel R. Elmer Nonnatus A. Cadano Santiago (right) and Transport Events Managing Director Bangladesh meets PPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rory Doyle. Delegates from the Parliament, Ministry Amelia M. Aquino of Shipping, and the Chittagong Port Authority of Bangladesh visited the MANAGING EDITOR The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) “The Philippines is also in the Philippine Ports Authority on January Eddie R. Cordova 13, 2017, headed by Mohammad Abdul hosted the February 22-24, 2017 event at process of modernizing its Ro-Ro Hyee, member of the Parliamentary the Peninsula Hotel Manila wherein more vessels and ports to easily adapt to Standing Committee on Ministry of ASSOCIATE EDITOR than a hundred decision makers, shipping the demands of the Asean-wide Ro- Shipping. The main objective of their Christopher C. Paringit line representatives, cargo handlers Ro operations in the future that is also visit is to gather information, ideas and experiences on port management and COPY EDITOR and port operators and other logistics brought about by the AEC,” Santiago development which they may implement Anna Theresa M. Biscocho stakeholders attended. added. in their own ports. (ATMB) n PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. The Philippines and Indonesia, as PHOTOGRAPHER Santiago, in his opening speech, said of the moment, are finalizing some Larry O. Guevarra the holding of the event is very timely details of the Ro-Ro route that is meant considering the vast developments to strengthen trade relations between Surigao revenues surpass P500 million mark EDITORIAL ASSISTANT being carried out along the Brunei- the two neighboring countries and is Sel R. Perfecto Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East expected reduce travel time to and from The Port Management Office of Surigao broke past HALF BILLION in annual Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) as well the two countries from 5 weeks to 3 revenues for the first time in more than three decades as total income for CY 2016 CONSULTANT as along the trading corridors of the days. reached Php505 million, up by 8% over revenue target. Asuncion B. Flores Association of Southeast Asian Nations The new 3-day trade route will start in (Asean). Davao City or General Santos City and will Continuing an upward trend in revenues for the The PPA “This is a great opportunity for the sail southwards to cross the Celebes Sea Ferry Terminal, contributed in no small measure to the Philippines, through the PPA, to showcase and go directly to Bitung City. past eight years, increased volume in the exportation upturn in reveune, as trips serving the Lipata – Liloan the developments like the Ro-Ro link PPA is also advocating that member of mineral products at private mining ports, along v.v. route increased with the entry of Archipelago between the Philippines and Indonesia ports of the Asean Ports Association with longer port stays, pushed revenues up to record- Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC) FastCAt. is published quarterly that is set to start late April this year,” to align their policies and port breaking levels in 2016. Last year saw vessels loading Moreover, the operationalization of Passenger by the Santiago said. infrastructure improvements to take more than the usual 50,000 metric tons of nickel ore with Terminal facilities at the Port of Del Carmen in Siargao “All the players within BIMP-EAGA advantage of China’s Maritime Silk Road increased frequency, which more than offset the drop Islands and the Port of San Jose in Dinagat Islands CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS STAFF and Asean are closely looking at the (MSR), which is a sea route from the in foreign shipcalls, leading to increased gains in the contributed to the increase in last year’s take with the Philippine Ports Authority developments of this Ro-Ro route which South China Sea and South East Asia, collection of port charges. collection of Passenger Terminal Fees. Corporate Office Building, through the Indian Ocean and Middle Though the gains were largely brought by positive Such positive inputs, along with strict A. Bonifacio Drive, will serve as the springboard for future South Harbor, Port Area, links between and among the other East area into the eastern Mediterranean inputs in the local mining industry, increased passenger implementation of cash and carry policy, paved the way Manila 1018 Philippines member nations,” Santiago stressed. and extends to Europe. n traffic and domestic shipcalls, particularly at the Lipata for last year’s fiscal gains. n Telefax: (+632) 527-4753 FOR ARTICLES/CONTRIBUTIONS, EMAIL TO: 2 PORTNEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2017 3 [email protected] Ro-Ro ports, vessels ready to handle classic, vintage vehicles district... The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced that Philippine Ro-Ro ports are now Sorsogon, Masbate, Cebu, Bohol, more than capable to handle the special requirements of transporting classic, vintage Camiguin and Cagayan de Oro, and, and sophisticated vehicle. district... the Eastern Nautical Highway, which runs through Southern Luzon, the Bicol region, the provinces of Samar conduits to connect the islands. and Leyte and connects to eastern The trip, in coordination with the Mindanao in Surigao del Norte PPA, involves 7 cars from the MSCC province.