The Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) is gearing up for the expected influx of cargo this month, noting that this year’s surge will be mainly due to the “exponential growth of consumer demands.”
In a news statement, the company said it has started to accommodate increase imports and exports volume, and is expecting to continue to handle a “significant increase” in cargoes in the coming days.
“The country’s appetite for imported goods is typically highlighted during the Christmas holiday up until Chinese New Year. With a healthy GDP outlook, we can expect this trend to remain a key driver in container volume growth in the months to come,” the statement read.
The company has recorded “continuous growth” in terms of traffic for 13 months straight since December 2017.
“Recently, we have confirmed further investments in port equipment and systems to continuously outpace market growth. This allows the terminal to remain healthy from a utilization standpoint which we continue to deliver to our customers both at the quay and our gates,” the statement read.
Commonly, goods that pass through Subic Freeport include agricultural equipment, grains and fertilizers, electronic parts and general department store merchandise for North and Central Luzon businesses, particularly in Pampanga and Bulacan.
The company is also “prepared” to handle shipments initially destined for Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao ports in order to accommodate influx of holiday cargoes this season.
“Businesses in North and Central Luzon benefit most from our services, but we have seen shipments destined not only for Manila, but in the Visayas and Mindanao, as well. SBITC works with other ports in the Philippines to ensure operational excellence is attained as goods move through these key markets that are in and out of the Philippines,” the statement read.
It uses the one-stop shop system, a facility that houses key authorities and regulatory bodies, to ease the documentary approvals and requirements.
“From enough space and manpower to increased efficiency through our one-stop-shop, our terminal is ready to accommodate the surge of cargo-handling services not just this holiday peak season, but well into 2019 and beyond,” the statement read.