Construction of North Harbor terminal starts

The construction of a new passenger terminal at the Manila North Harbor, the country’s busiest domestic port, started this week as the government seeks to modernize sea travel.

North Harbor’s private sector operator, Manila North Harbour Port Inc. (MNHPI), on Monday broke ground for the new terminal building that will cost P200 million to put up.

The North port passenger terminal building (PTB), to be constructed on a 11,600-square-meter area between Pier 4 and 6, will accommodate 2,000 passengers at any given time.

The facility will have an organized ticketing area, concession stands and space for passenger drop-offs.

The terminal building complex is expected to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2013, said transportation and communications department spokesman Nicasio Conti.

“By then, we would be able to see a new facility that will not only promote safety, security and convenience of passengers and other port users, but also a passenger terminal that will be at par with international standards,” Conti said.

MNHPI has contracted affiliate R-II Builders to build the “state-of-the-art” facility.

MNHPI CEO Richard Barclay said the first phase of the North port development, which includes the construction of the passenger terminal building, would cost P5 billion.

MNHPI is currently undertaking the rehabilitation of Piers 4 and Pier 10; the retrofitting of Pier 16 and wharf decks with crane rails; the construction of a power center and installation of lighting and lighting Arrester; and the setting up of a new operations center, which will house the one-stop-shop of all transactions at the port.