Maritime confab highlights Subic Bay logistics, investments opportunities

BIG VOLUME In 2011, container throughput in Subic Bay reached 27,600 twenty-foot equivalent units, a growth of 7.8 percent over 2010 and the highest volume recorded since 2007.

MANILA, Philippines–The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in cooperation with the Subic Bay International Terminal Corp is organizing the Subic Bay Maritime Conference & Exhibit on Aug. 23-24, 2012 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center in Subic Bay Gateway Park.

Themed “Subic Bay: Asia’s Emerging Logistics and Investments Hub,” the conference highlights the Freeport zone’s attractions as an investment and logistics hub and as gateway to Asia’s expanding market.

The Subic Bay Maritime Conference & Exhibit is expected to attract more than 300 investors, shippers, and logistics and supply chain executives from Manila, Subic, Clark and nearby areas, and will look at the advantages of Subic as a vital investment area for shipping and logistics companies.

Speakers include Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Tokyo-based International Association of Ports and Harbors Secretary General Susumu Naruse, National Economic and Development Authority Director-General Arsenio Balisacan, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator and Chairman Roberto Garcia, Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Bases Conversion Development Authority President Arnel Casanova, Philippine Export Zone Authority Director-General Dr Lilia de Lima, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. acting head of Asian region Christian Gonzalez, SBMA Director Norberto Sosa, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President for Transport and Logistics Angelito Colona, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Senior Adviser John Forbes, Air21 Chairman Alberto Lina, and Pac-Atlantic Group Chairman Ramon De Leon.

Presentations will center on projects and initiatives at the port complex; attractions of Subic Bay as a transshipment port and investment center; opportunities for shippers in Subic; the viability of Subic as an alternative port to Manila; synergy between Subic and Clark; Customs’ trade facilitation initiatives in Subic; the greater push to raise productivity and efficiency at the Subic container terminals; competitiveness of the Philippine logistics industry; and the private sector wishlist for Subic.

Event sponsors are Manila North Tollways Corp and Lighthouse Marina Resort (Gold); Ayala Land Premier, Civic Merchandising, Malayan Towage, PTT and SGS Subic (Silver); and Cebu Pacific Cargo, Gerry’s Grill, Pilipinas Hino, Petron Pilipinas and MAN Automotive Concessionaires Corp (Bronze).

Supporting organizations are the Association of International Shipping Lines, Clark Investors and Locators Association, Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines, Department of Trade and Industry, Filipino Shipowners Association, Maritime Law Association of the Philippines, Maritime League, Philippine Ship Agents Association, Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association, Port Users Confederation, Rotary Club of Subic Bay, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce and Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines.

Media partners are Australia-based Baird Publications which publishes monthly magazines, Ausmarine and Work Boat World; Hong Kong-based Cargonews Asia; China-based Maritime News China; and PortCalls Asia (www.portcalls.com), a news and data provider for the international container shipping industry. PortCalls is also the event manager.

For more information on the Subic Bay Maritime Conference & Exhibit, please call the event manager PortCalls (Liza Almonte) at (632) 552-7072, 551-1775, 551-1972 or email [email protected], [email protected]. For regular updates, visit www.subicmaritimeconference.com, like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @subicconference.