A bulk and break-bulk terminal such as this facility at the Naval Supply Depot in Subic Bay is the missing piece to make Manila a one-stop-shop for carriers and shippers.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) seeks to bid the construction of its bulk terminal by the second quarter of this year that will be located at the mouth of the Manila Bay and in between Manila South Harbor and Manila International Container Terminal.
PPA said they are now working on the terms of reference for the development of the bulk terminal which they expect to open for bidding in the second quarter of 2011.
According to PPA assistant general manager Raul Santos, the project will dramatically change the whole scale of commercial port development as the Manila port could not cater to almost all kinds of cargo such as containerized and non-containerized.
He added that the Committee earlier created by PPA has already started reviewing the existing policies on commercial ports to establish clear-cut guidelines on the qualification requirements of applicants as well as the procedures for filing of application, criteria for evaluation and approval, development/operational limitations and extent of restrictions imposed in present contracts with Manila-based terminal operators.
“The Committee’s report, which is expected to be completed before the end of the year, will serve as take-off point for future development efforts,” Santos said.
“The PPA is also designating a separate Team to formulate the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the procurement of the developer of Manila Harbor through competitive public bidding,” Santos explained.
The project include reclamation work and build facilities for handling bulk commodities aimed to re-establish the country’s premier port capable of handling all types of sea-borne traffic.
The strategic framework seeks to create additional space for hosting facilities that have not yet been made available in any port projects in the Metropolitan Manila.
A reclaimed area of about 200 hectares within the Port Zone Delineation (PZD) of the Port of Manila can accommodate the needs of concerned investors for long term operation of commercial ports.
Santos said the bulk terminal will cater to a wide range of dry or liquid bulk cargoes. These include wheat/flour, minerals, petroleum products, and others.
Santos said the bulk terminal will cater to a wide range of dry or liquid bulk cargoes. These include wheat/flour, minerals, petroleum products, and others.
At present, they had to be rerouted to other sites or handled shipside because of lack or inadequate accessible Manila-based bulk handling facilities.