THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) posted P16.34 billion in revenues in the first half of the year, driven by higher cargo and container traffic, and increased cruise ship calls.
January-to-June gross revenue was 11.31 percent higher than the P14.68 billion in the same period last year. It also exceeded the PPA’s H1 target by 7.61 percent or P1.16 billion.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago attributed the performance to stronger port operations, infrastructure modernization, and revenue optimization as the government continues to expand the country’s transport infrastructure.
“[It] shows that the investments and reforms we have been pursuing across the port system are translating into real results,” Santiago said.
Cargo volume at PPA-managed ports rose 3.08 percent to 154.03 million metric tons from 149.42 million MT a year earlier.
Container traffic also increased 2.65 percent to 4.30 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from 4.19 million TEUs.
The PPA attributed the higher cargo throughput partly to increased shipments of crude minerals handled by its port management office (PMO) in Eastern Leyte/Samar and metalliferous ores in Surigao and Zamboanga del Norte.
Containerized cargo activity was supported by increased operations at the National Capital Region North, Palawan, and Batangas port management offices, as well as higher foreign container traffic at NCR South, Davao, and the Manila International Container Terminal.
Santiago said improvements in port efficiency, capacity, and connectivity help businesses move goods faster and strengthen the country’s competitiveness.
Cruise tourism also contributed to port activity. PPA-managed ports recorded 70 cruise ship calls in H1, up 4.48 percent from a year earlier.
The cruise ships brought 165,340 passengers to destinations across the country, supporting local businesses involved in shore excursions, cultural and heritage tours, sightseeing, shopping, and other tourism activities.
International cruise vessels called at ports in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Palawan, and other destinations. Some ships made multiple stops, allowing passengers to visit several destinations during a single voyage.
“Every cruise ship call creates opportunities that go beyond the port. It brings international visitors closer to our communities, local businesses, tourism destinations, and cultural attractions,” Santiago said.
Passenger traffic remained substantial, with PPA ports recording 45.69 million passenger movements during the six-month period.
The PPA said the figures reflected the importance of the country’s port network to trade, tourism, and domestic mobility as the government continues to modernize and expand maritime infrastructure. TMT
