ICTSI bets on Subic Bay as next PH cargo hub

MANILA, Philippines—Razon-led International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is promoting the Subic Bay Freeport container terminal to be the country’s next major cargo hub, complementing Manila’s port district.

The country’s largest port operator said businesses in northern and central Luzon, particularly manufacturers and exporters in the special economic zones in the area, should consider Subic as an alternative to the congested Manila Bay, the company said in a statement.

ICTSI acquired the rights to develop the Subic cargo port last July.

Today, the lack of quality infrastructure in northern Luzon continues to hamper the operations of locators in special economic zones in Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga and Subic itself.

“Most import and export cargo from the area pass the Manila ports, limiting shipping possibilities. The development of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) remains underutilized while the Subic port has yet to be optimized,” ICTSI said.

In a statement this week, ICTSI said its subsidiary Subic Bay International Container Terminal Inc. (SBICT) has forged a partnership with J-PAC Logistics Inc., a cargo consolidator and logistics service provider at the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ), to jointly promote and market the Subic port.

This will market the Subic port as the premiere trading gateway for industries in the northern Luzon regions.