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Batangas Integrated Port, operated by DP World through Philippine partner Asian Terminals, Inc., is tagged as the world’s first READY (Resilience, Emergency Action, and Disaster-ready) Port, setting a new benchmark for disaster preparedness and humanitarian logistics
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The Philippines was selected as the pilot location due to its vulnerability to climate-related risks and natural disasters.
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The designation followed a three-day multi-stakeholder workshop conducted with the World Food Programme Philippines
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Outcomes from the workshop were consolidated into a Port Readiness Action Plan intended to guide similar capacity-building efforts at other ports in the Philippines and globally
The Batangas Integrated Port (BIP), operated by DP World through Philippine partner Asian Terminals, Inc., is now the world’s first READY (Resilience, Emergency Action, and Disaster-ready) Port, establishing a new global benchmark for disaster preparedness and humanitarian logistics.
READY Port is a global capacity-strengthening program backed by the United Nations Logistics Cluster, designed to bolster the disaster readiness of ports so they can support humanitarian response efforts during emergencies.
The designation comes amid rising climate-related disasters and supply chain disruptions worldwide, with DP World positioning the READY Port framework as a scalable model for strengthening the resilience of critical logistics infrastructure.
The Philippines was chosen as the pilot location for the initiative due to its exposure to climate-related risks and natural disasters.
The program brough together public and private sector stakeholders, as well as local and international humanitarian organizations, to build a coordinated emergency response ecosystem centered on seaports and logistics hubs.
The designation follows a three-day, multi-stakeholder workshop held in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) Philippines at Batangas Port, where government agencies, humanitarian organizations and private-sector partners assessed emergency response capabilities, reviewed operational protocols, and took part in scenario-based exercises to strengthen crisis preparedness.
“We are honored that the Batangas Integrated Port is now the world’s first READY port. This collaboration with WFP and our partners reflects our shared commitment to building resilient port infrastructure that serves not only as gateways for trade, but also as vital lifelines for communities during times of crisis,” Glen Hilton, CEO and managing director, Asia Pacific, DP World, said in a news release.
“By leveraging DP World’s integrated ports and logistics capabilities through ATI, our local partner in the Philippines, and across our global network, we are strengthening preparedness and ensuring that humanitarian assistance can move swiftly and efficiently in support of disaster response, national recovery efforts, and community resilience,” added Hilton.
BIP is a vital gateway for the Philippines, handling international and domestic cargo, rolling cargo, and passenger traffic, with direct links to nearby islands and major destinations throughout the Visayas and Mindanao.
READ: Port developments strengthen Batangas position as cargo hub — DOF chief
Insights from the workshop have been gathered into a Port Readiness Action Plan. DP World said this plan will support future capacity-building initiatives at ports both in the Philippines and globally.
“Disaster preparedness is not only the responsibility of one government agency alone. It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach where national agencies, port operators, logistics providers, humanitarian organizations, local government units, and development partners work together towards a common goal,” said Manuel Cabochan III, Department of Transportation assistant secretary for special concerns.
“This underscores the importance of READY Port as we come together to prepare through planning, capacity building, and information sharing, and ultimately develop strong mechanisms to ensure continuity of ports and logistics operations during emergencies. We commend the World Food Programme, DP World, and the Logistics Cluster for pioneering this initiative,” Cabochan said.
Joao Dos Santos Merencio, WFP head of supply chain in the Philippines, said, “WFP is committed to supporting this initiative by fostering coordination, sharing humanitarian experience, and working closely with all stakeholders to align port readiness efforts with national disaster preparedness frameworks.”
Dubai-headquartered DP World operates across six continents with a workforce of more than 125,000, spanning ports and terminals, marine services, logistics and technology. In Asia Pacific, the company employs over 11,000 people across 22 geographies and operates 17 ports and terminals as part of its end-to-end supply chain network.
