Subic Bay Freeport—With its vision to transform this premier Freeport into a smart port city, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is considering a partnership with the Port of San Diego.
During their visit here on February 6, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño and Port of San Diego officials agreed to discover and identify areas of collaboration between both ports.
“We offered to the Port of San Diego to explore areas in Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Break Bulk Cargo Handling and Management, Shore Power Connection, Cruise Ship Terminal and Market Development and Ship Repair,” SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator (SDA) for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao said.
He added that the officials of the San Diego Port extended the invitation to Chairman Aliño to visit the Port of San Diego and explore other port-related initiatives since both ports proclaimed a partnership as sister ports in 2018.
“We see the potential of Subic Bay Freeport in developing trade and commerce between our two ports,” Port of San Diego Commissioner Gil Anthony Ungab said expressing his desire to further explore opportunities that will benefit both ports.
Also, Port of San Diego Director for Maritime Joel Valenzuela said that there are many similarities between the Ports of San Diego and Subic Bay; and that they are excited to strengthen and continue to develop our partnership in maritime and other related industries.
Meanwhile, Chairman Aliño said that the SBMA welcomes the partnership between the two ports as the vision to develop concrete projects will be mutually beneficial to both ports.
The Port of San Diego, according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, is one of America’s top 30 US containership ports, bringing in nearly 3 million metric tons (3,000,000 long tons; 3,300,000 short tons) of cargo per year through the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and the National City Marine Terminal.
Aliño said that the proposed partnership is in line with the SBMA’s vision of becoming a port city, and that the partnership with the Port of San Diego is a vital step In advancing Subic Bay Freeport’s interests in maritime project development, automation, cruise terminal development and operations, artificial intelligence and trade development.
SDA Yambao said, “This is a positive step in expanding the global reach and trade network of the Port of Subic Bay in the United States.”
He added that aside from the Port of San Diego, the SBMA has also entered into a partnership with the Virginia Port Authority in 2015 to develop trade and exchange best practices in break bulk and cruise ship logistics management and operations.
