-
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency and Subic Drydock Corporation signed an agreement to fund a feasibility study on the expansion of the ship repair and maintenance company’s facility in Subic, Zambales
-
USTDA will finance the study to develop a construction-ready design package and financial analyses to expand SDC’s existing approach pier
-
The extension will allow SDC to accommodate larger vessels and undertake repairs that are currently not possible due to draft and berth limitations
-
The study will be essential for mobilizing necessary financing for procurement and construction of the project
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and Subic Drydock Corporation (SDC) have signed an agreement for the funding of a feasibility study on the expansion of the ship repair and maintenance company’s facility in Subic, Zambales.
Under the agreement inked during the inaugural Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) Investors Forum on September 10, USTDA will finance the feasibility study to develop a construction-ready design package and financial analyses to expand SDC’s existing approach pier and allow it to accommodate larger vessels. The study will be essential for mobilizing necessary financing for procurement and construction of the project.
SDC has selected California-based DM Consulting, Inc. to conduct the feasibility study.
“Today’s agreement reflects USTDA’s commitment to developing high-impact infrastructure along the Luzon Economic Corridor using American technologies,” USTDA deputy director Thomas Hardy said in a statement.
“Our ongoing partnerships in the Philippines will support the country’s economic growth as part of a more resilient, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Hardy added.
SDC chief executive officer Terry Watkins, for her part, said: “We are deeply grateful to USTDA for its support and partnership. The feasibility study will help validate the requirements for extending the approach pier by an additional 169 meters.”
Watkins said the extension will allow SDC to accommodate larger vessels and undertake repairs that are currently not possible due to draft and berth limitations.
“This important project will strengthen our ability to serve select U.S. and Philippine maritime customers while enhancing Subic’s capacity as a regional ship repair hub,” she added.
READ: BCDA, SBMA to position Subic as Pax Silica maritime gateway
USTDA noted that growing demand for ship repair services requires enhancement of existing infrastructure to overcome capacity constraints. The project is expected to bolster logistics infrastructure and maritime services across LEC, helping position Subic Bay as a vital regional supply chain hub and supporting long-term economic opportunity for the Philippines.
Led by the governments of the Philippines, the U.S., and Japan, along with 10 other partner nations, the LEC initiative focuses investment in transportation and logistics, energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing along the economic corridor stretching from Subic Bay and Clark through Manila to Batangas.
READ: US delegation scouts Subic freeport for LEC-aligned trade, investments
