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Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is banking on three pillars to enhance Subic Bay Freeport Zone’s capacity and operational efficiency
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These three are automation, investment in infrastructure, and expanding SBMA’s trade network, according to senior deputy administrator for operations Ronnie Yambao
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Yambao noted that Subic Bay Freeport Zone is a multimodal logistics hub accessible by land, sea, air, and in the near future, by railway
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is banking on three pillars to enhance Subic Bay Freeport Zone’s capacity and operational efficiency.
These three are automation, investment in infrastructure, and expanding SBMA’s trade network, SBMA senior deputy administrator for operations Ronnie Yambao said during a recent panel discussion at the Super Terminal Expo 2024 in Hong Kong AsiaWorld-Expo.
Yambao noted systems are already in place at SBMA “to make cargo movement seamless and transactions much faster and more efficient” such as the Electronic Transit Admission Permit System, Automated Export Documentation System, and Automated System for Customs Data.
On the infrastructure side, Yambao cited investments in port rehabilitation and acquisition of equipment, and a new state-of-the-art vessel traffic management system.
SBMA is also expanding its network through trade missions and creating partnerships with different ports to increase trade and commerce.
Yambao pointed out Subic Bay Freeport Zone is a multimodal logistics hub accessible by land, sea, air, and in the near future, by railway.
The Freeport hosts an airport and a number of seaport facilities, which include a container terminal with a capacity to handle 600,000 twenty-foot equivalent units annually.
The Freeport will also be connected to other areas in Luzon in the future through the planned Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas freight railway.
In addition, it has four industrial parks with 15 piers that can accommodate commercial vessels and cruise ships.
SBMA plans to put up a dedicated cruise terminal in the central business district area. The first phase estimated to cost P1.2 billion involves construction of a cruise ship jetty with the first berth measuring 380 meters in length and the second 350 meters with a depth of 12 meters. The second phase includes the reclamation for the cruise passenger terminal and cruise leisure and commercial area at an estimated cost of P9 billion.
Moreover, SBMA aims to provide shore power connection to ships calling on Subic port by 2025, in line with its program to make Subic Bay Freeport Zone the first carbon neutral economic zone in the country.
“This is the only Freeport in the country that has this complete logistics infrastructure in one location managed by the SBMA,” Yambao said, adding that all ancillary services are available to complete the logistics ecosystem in the area.
Moreover, locators at the Freeport enjoy fiscal incentives such as income tax holiday and special corporate income tax or enhanced deductions.
SBMA also offers competitive rates in port services and is 20% cheaper compared to the Port Manila, Yambao noted.
