The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has announced that the major ports in the National Capital Region (NCR) are functioning effectively, showing no signs of congestion despite a surge in cargo volumes. PPA General Manager Jay Santiago highlighted that the Manila South Harbor (MSH) and the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) are maintaining yard utilization rates of 59% and 71%, respectively, indicating efficient operations.
Santiago reported a rise in container traffic at both ports. In 2024, MSH processed 1.29 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking a 6.92% increase from the previous year’s 1.21 million TEUs. Similarly, MICT saw a 5.08% rise, handling 2.95 million TEUs compared to 2.76 million TEUs in 2023. He emphasized that the Port of Manila’s yard utilization remains optimal, ensuring smooth trade flows.
The PPA attributes the ports’ sustained performance to ongoing modernization efforts, including infrastructure expansion and the digitalization of operations. Santiago stressed the importance of digitalization in enhancing efficiency and supporting economic growth through seamless trade and real-time data management.
To further improve logistics, Santiago called for inter-agency collaboration to develop comprehensive solutions, expand regional ports as alternative gateways, and establish a crisis management framework to tackle potential supply chain issues.
Looking ahead, the PPA projects a cargo throughput of 301.47 million metric tons (MMT) for 2025, driven by robust domestic consumption and continued public investments. Santiago also outlined plans for future infrastructure projects, such as a new cargo ship port in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, and enhancements at Banago Port in Bacolod, to bolster the nation’s logistics capabilities.