PPA seeks to boost cruise tourism with P743-million Aklan port

Philippine Ports Authority | INQUIRER.net

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is boosting cruise tourism with the construction of a P742.98-million port in Aklan, the gateway to popular beach getaway spot Boracay.

In an interview with the Inquirer, the government agency said that it had issued the notice of award to IBC International Builders Corp., a contractor based in Iloilo, but it has yet to submit further documentary requirements before actual construction starts.

READ: PPA set to start crafting ports development plans

PPA said that it would take about two years and five months to build the cruise ship port at Port of Alegria, which is designed to cater to over 580,000 passengers, 1,314 vessels and 182,361 metric tons (MT) of cargo annually by 2027.

The projects include a 2,218.50-square-meter (sq m) port operational area with roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ramp and a 1,465.73-sq m rock causeway.

The ports regulator said the new terminal could complement the neighboring Caticlan seaport, which is expected to be “congested throughout the whole year” given the “increasing volume of tourists.”

It is also eyed to be the “shortest link between Panay Island and the islands of Mindoro and Tablas.”

Cruise shipping activities have been regaining ground after being halted for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This segment only resumed operations last year, servicing 73,000 cruise ship passengers who mostly docked in Metro Manila and northern Luzon.

Meanwhile, PPA also inaugurated the P267-million terminal at the Port of Coron last year. The port’s capacity has since doubled to 500 passengers, which can be expanded to up to 900 during peak season.

Among the PPA-managed ports catering to cruise vessels are Ports of Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Salomague in Ilocos Sur, Manila, Bohol and El Nido, Palawan. The port agency seeks to develop more cruise terminals in Palawan, Siargao, Camiguin and Puerto Galera.

“While ports generally facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people, building cruise ship ports in the Philippines plays a crucial role in enhancing not only the maritime trade and regional integration of the country but mainly the economic development of our local communities,” PPA said. INQ