Local seaports ferried more passengers during the first nine months of the year amid the resurgence of sea travel and expansion of terminal capacities.
According to data from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), passenger traffic grew by 10 percent to 60.47 million in the January to September period from 54.83 million a year ago.
Most of the volume was recorded in the Visayas with 30 million passengers, followed by southern Luzon with 15.73 million passengers.
READ: PCG: Over 27,000 travelers passed through seaports as of November 1
Over 80,500 passengers rode on cruise ships, which made their return last year following the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
Meanwhile, roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) traffic increased by 8 percent to 8.61 million for the period from 7.98 million last year.
About 41 percent of the RoRo traffic was in the Visayas.
In terms of cargo operations, shipments rose by 7 percent to 218.28 million metric tons (MT) from 203.51 million MT in the same period a year ago.
In April, the ports regulator opened a new passenger terminal building at the Port of Batangas, which is being operated by Asian Terminal Inc.
Master plan
The PPA is in the process of developing a master plan to establish 10 seaports across the country to improve connectivity and boost supply chain.
These terminals are located in Davila, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; Taytay, Palawan; Buenavista, Guimaras; San Carlos, Negros Occidental; Dumaguete, Negros Oriental; Lazi, Siquijor; Catbalogan, Samar; Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Sur; and Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands.
The port regulator has also started engaging consultancy services for feasibility studies covering 14 big-ticket port projects, which are targeted to be completed by 2028.
These include Port Capinpin Expansion project in Orion, Bataan; Currimao Port Expansion and Restoration project; Tapal Port Expansion in Ubay, Bohol; New Port Development projects in Lavezares, Northern Samar; upgrading of general cargo berth in Davao City Port of Sasa; and expansion of Plaridel Port in Misamis Oriental. INQ