MANILA, Philippines — The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is supporting a feasibility study for the expansion of a ship repair facility at Subic Bay, a project aimed at increasing the Philippines’ capacity to service larger vessels and strengthen the area’s role as a regional maritime hub.

USTDA will provide assistance to Subic Drydock Corp. for the study, which will examine plans to extend the facility’s approach pier by 169 meters. The project is intended to address existing draft and berth limitations that prevent the facility from accommodating some larger vessels.

The agreement was signed at a USTDA-sponsored Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum.

Subic Drydock has selected California-based DM Consulting Inc. to conduct the study. The work will include development of a construction-ready design package and financial analyses that could help secure financing for the project’s construction and equipment needs.

“Today’s agreement reflects USTDA’s commitment to developing high-impact infrastructure along the Luzon Economic Corridor using American technologies,” said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA’s deputy director. “Our ongoing partnerships in the Philippines will support the country’s economic growth as part of a more resilient, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

Subic Bay is located along major maritime routes and has a deep-water harbor, making it an important center for trade and logistics in the Philippines. USTDA said expanding ship repair capacity could help address growing demand for maritime services and strengthen supply-chain infrastructure along the Luzon Economic Corridor.

The feasibility study also is expected to create opportunities for U.S. engineering, port infrastructure and equipment companies to participate in the project.

Terry Watkins, owner of Subic Drydock, said the study will help determine the requirements for extending the approach pier and allow the facility to handle larger vessels and repairs that are currently limited by draft and berth constraints.

The project is expected to expand Subic Drydock’s ability to serve U.S. and Philippine maritime customers and support the development of Subic Bay as a regional ship repair center. (USTDA-PR)