Growth in port traffic seen revving up to 8%

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) estimates cargo volume to increase by 8 percent in 2025, banking on the sustained economic recovery that spurs trading activities.

Local sea terminals are expected to facilitate the movement of 301.47 million metric tons (MT) of cargo next year, which is 8 percent more than the projected 279 million MT by the end of 2024.

The 2024 projection shows 2-percent growth from 272.46 MT the local ports handled in the previous year.

‘Steady and stabilizing’

The forecast corresponds to the “steady and stabilizing growth in the global economy, which translates into sustained growth in the Philippine economy,” the ports regulator told the Inquirer.

“Total cargo throughput has been steadily growing after the pandemic. The PPA expects to meet its cargo volume projection, assuming steady economic conditions and no major disruptions in operations that could influence performance,” it added.

The PPA explained that “demand for shipping is largely driven by strong domestic consumption as e-commerce continues to expand.”

In January to September, the volume of shipments rose by 7 percent to 218.28 million MT from 203.51 million MT in the same period a year ago.

The PPA is in the process of conducting feasibility studies for 14 big-ticket port projects, which are targeted to be completed by 2028. INQ