Foreign cargo volume rises 12%, passenger flow at 7.89M — PPA

Volume of cargo coming from and going to foreign ports increased by 12.12 percent last January and February, the Philippine Ports Authority said.

 

The foreign cargo totalling 15.04 million metric tons (MMT) rose at double digit pace from 13.41 MMT in the first two months of last year, according to PPA general manager Juan Sta. Ana.

 

Sta. Ana said the highest increase in foreign shipments passed through the port in Iligan City on account of a 103.25 percent increase in mineral ore shipments by Semirara Corp.

 

The PPA chief said the port of San Fernando also recorded a high 55.35 percent increase in foreign cargo in the form of san exports.

 

In contrast,  cargo volume through Manila's South Harbor plunged by 36.4 percent. In Surigao and Iloilo, the volume declines were at 18.4 percent and 7.21 percent, respectively.

 

Sta. Ana said cargo volume at Surigao fell because of lower export levels of nickel from the private ports of Taganito and Hinatuan in northeastern Mindanao.

 

Total cargo volume last January and February including domestic cargo totalled 27.3 MMT.

 

The PPA chief said the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) is still the country’s main international gateway for cargo as 3.11 MMT or 11.39 percent of the total cargo volume passed through that port.

 

Sta. Ana said passenger volume increase by only 3.6 percent. “The numbers still reflect the impact of competition posed by airlines offering budget fares.” 

 

Foreign and domestic passengers numbered about 7.89 million—a 272,882 increase from 7.62 million in January and February last year.  — ELR, GMA News