Batangas port struggling to provide alternative to Manila

Ryujiro Sasao, an external evaluator of IC Net was quoted as saying that the volume of container cargo to be handled by Batangas Port has fallen short of the target volume since the completion of the project in March of 2010.

“The operating ratio of the container terminal constructed by this project remains low, falling short of the target volume of container cargo to be handled. For this reason, the project has shown only an extremely limited effect on local employment and the economic growth of local businesses, thus its effectiveness and impact is low,” he said.

Sasao noted that the limited service of just one ship call a week has had a detrimental impact on raising volumes. “Currently, the number of container ships scheduled for service at Batangas Port sits at only one ship per week,” he said.