THE Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has started implementation of the P10-billion expansion of Subic port by finalizing the terms of reference (TOR) for the consultancy of the project.
“The TOR for bidding of consultants to do detailed engineering is being finalized. The National Economic and Development Authority is consolidating comments from concerned government agencies. We will be awarding the consultancy by year-end,” SBMA President Roberto Garcia said.
The P10-billion expansion of the Subic port was announced late last year by Garcia at the height of the port congestion in Manila caused by the truck ban imposed by the city government.
The truck ban has since been lifted, and the ports in Manila are no longer congested.
Garcia expects cargo volume to double in Manila in two to three years from the present 3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and is increasing capacity at the Subic port to be a viable alternative.
“The capacity now is at 600,000 TEUs, which can go to 1.2 million,” Garcia added.
The Subic port is underutilized, accommodating only 75,000 TEUs, or 15 percent, of its rated capacity, but this is expected to pick up, with more shipping lines calling to the port.
The Subic port consists of the New Container Terminals 1 and 2, both operated by Subic ICTSI, a unit under the International Container Terminal Services Inc.
Subic and Batangas ports have been designated by the government as alternative Manila ports following the port congestion in Manila.