-
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is considering a partnership with the Port of San Diego as part of its vision to transform Subic Bay Freeport into a smart port city
-
SBMA offered to explore areas in artificial intelligence, automation, break bulk cargo handling and management, shore power connection, cruise ship terminal and market development and ship repair
-
Port of San Diego commissioner Gil Anthony Ungab said they ‘see the potential of Subic Bay Freeport in developing trade and commerce between our two ports’
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is considering a partnership with the Port of San Diego in California as part of its vision to transform Subic Bay Freeport into a smart port city.
SBMA and Port of San Diego officials, during the latter’s official visit to the former on February 6, agreed to discover and identify areas of collaboration between both ports.
“We offered to the Port of San Diego to explore areas in artificial intelligence, automation, break bulk cargo handling and management, shore power connection, cruise ship terminal and market development and ship repair,” SBMA senior deputy administrator for port operations Ronnie Yambao said in a statement.
“This is a positive step in expanding the global reach and trade network of the Port of Subic Bay in the United States,” Yambao added.
Port of San Diego officials also extended an invitation to SBMA chairman and administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño to visit the Port of San Diego and explore other port-related initiatives since the ports of Subic and San Diego were proclaimed as sister ports in 2018.
Aliño said that the proposed partnership is in line with SBMA’s vision of Subic Bay Freeport becoming a port city, and that the partnership with the Port of San Diego is a vital step in advancing the Freeport’s interests in maritime project development, automation, cruise terminal development and operations, artificial intelligence, and trade development.
For his part, Port of San Diego commissioner Gil Anthony Ungab said they “see the potential of Subic Bay Freeport in developing trade and commerce between our two ports.”
Port of San Diego director for maritime Joel Valenzuela also said they are excited to strengthen and continue to develop partnership with SBMA in maritime and other related industries, noting that there are many similarities between the ports of Subic and San Diego.
According to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Port of San Diego is one of America’s top 30 US containership ports, bringing in nearly three million metric tons of cargo per year through the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and the National City Marine Terminal.
Aside from the Port of San Diego, SBMA in 2015 also entered into a partnership with the Virginia Port Authority in the US to develop trade and exchange best practices in break bulk and cruise ship logistics management and operations.
