Ang Pahayagan

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Port of Subic has signed a sister-port agreement with the Port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan, the third such arrangement made by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to strengthen its global network in maritime trade and port development.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao said the sister-port agreement was signed last February 25 at the Port of Kaohsiung Cruise Terminal by Taiwan International Ports Corp. (TIPC) Chairman Chou Yung-hui and SBMA Director Patrick Jean O. Gonzales, representing SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-Mai and SBMA Port Operations Deputy Administrator Kris Roman witnessed the agreement.

“Subic is expanding its global network, building strong trade corridors with strategic partners, and sharing expertise with world-class ports across the globe,” Yambao said on Tuesday.

He said the Subic-Kaohsiung port agreement covers several areas of cooperation, including trade and commerce development, and green technology exchange, and cruise ship development.

“We hope to further develop trade and commerce between Subic and Kaohsiung, as well as to increase the frequency of shipping line service between the two ports with this agreement,” Yambao said.

The Port of Kaohsiung, which was established in 1858, has an annual throughput of from 10 to 12 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and provides services for container, bulk and liquid cargoes, as well as cruise and logistics.

Operated by TIPC, the Port of Kaohsiung has an EcoPort certification, a European-based program that recognizes excellence in environmental management and port sustainability, and has made significant green infrastructure investments.

On the other hand, Yambao said Subic is investing on a shore power connection project to become a carbon-neutral port, and working on a port expansion plan to build a multipurpose port at the Lower Mau area, a port terminal at the Redondo Peninsula, and a cruise ship terminal along Waterfront Road.

“We can surely learn a lot from Kaohsiung in terms of port development and sustainability,” Yambao said.

As of now, Subic has existing sister-port agreements with the Port of Virginia in the United States, and the Port of Eilat in Israel.

Following its agreement with Kaohsiung, Subic intends to further expand its global network with the Port of San Diego, USA; Port of Bangkok in Thailand; Port Klang in Malaysia; and Port of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, Yambao added.  Taktikom News and Features

TOP 📸 : SBMA Director Patrick Jean O. Gonzales (3rd right) receives a Port of Kaohsiung memento from TIPC Chairman Chou Yung-hui following the signing of a sister-port agreement between Subic and Kaohsiung on February 25. (MOFA photo)