Port operator cites 3 dev’t projects

MANILA, Philippines - The biggest port operator in the country is seeing bright prospects in the port industry under the administration of President Duterte as the country braces for continuous economic upgrade.

Port builder Reghis Romero II, owner of Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc., stressed the importance of three major development projects in the ports of Manila, Cebu and Davao.

“The three-port reclamation and modernization projects in Manila, Cebu and Davao will form the backbone of the national port network that we intend to build across the archipelago,” Romero stressed.

In his speech during the 9th Philippine Ports and Shipping session held recently, Romero cited the 50-hectare Harbour Centre expansion project approved by the city government of Manila and Philippine Reclamation Authority late last year.

He said the P7.4-billion project is a long-term solution to the shallow five-kilometer draft of Manila Bay and address the growing volume of cargo entering the country, from three million to six million metric tons over the past five years.

“The project will add another 20 hectares with a kilometer-long berthing facility to Harbour Centre Port Terminal to enable it to accommodate the fast-increasing volume and size of vessels and cargoes at the port,” Romero bared.

He said ports must undergo upgrading since vessels are “getting larger and larger to attain the economies of scale, making them require deeper and deeper drafts.”

Romero cited the Cebu International Container and Bulk Terminal project of HCPTI’s sister firm Mega Harbour Port and Development Inc., which will cover an 85-hectare reclamation area consisting of a 1,200-meter berth, 1,000-meter access road, 25-hectare container yard and a 50-hectare industrial park.

He said the project would benefit the communities in the municipality of Liloan and help mitigate the container traffic in the city of Cebu, whose port can no longer be expanded because of geographic limitations.

Romero cited the Davao Coastline and Port Development project forged by Mega Harbour also with the Davao city government in June last year.