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The Major 11 Ports in The Philippines

Publish Time: 2024-08-19     Origin: Site

The Largest 11 Ports in the Philippines: Comprehensive Data and Insights

Explore detailed insights into the Philippines' largest 11 ports, including annual throughput, port area, and their critical roles in global trade.




The Strategic Importance of the Philippines’ Ports

As an archipelagic nation, the Philippines relies heavily on its ports to facilitate both domestic and international trade. These ports are essential to the country's economy, handling a wide range of cargo from containerized goods to bulk materials. The following overview provides insights into the 11 largest ports in the Philippines, focusing on their annual throughput, port area, and significance in the global trade network.



1. Port of Manila (Port of Manila International Container Terminal - MICT)

  • Location: Manila, Luzon

  • Annual Throughput: 4.5 million TEUs 

  • Port Area: 137 hectares

  • Key Cargo: Containers, general cargo, vehicles

  • Established: 1900

  • Berth Length: 7,000 meters

  • Simultaneous Berths: 24 ships

  • Coordinates: 14.5833° N, 120.9667° E

  • Maximum Draft: 13 meters

Description:
The Port of Manila, specifically the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), is the largest and busiest port in the Philippines. It serves as the primary gateway for international trade, handling a significant portion of the country’s containerized cargo. The port's modern facilities and strategic location in the capital make it an essential hub for imports and exports, connecting the Philippines with major markets in Asia, North America, and Europe.



2. Port of Cebu

  • Location: Cebu City, Visayas

  • Annual Throughput: 2.1 million TEUs

  • Port Area: 75 hectares

  • Key Cargo: Containers, sugar, furniture

  • Established: 1565

  • Berth Length: 4,800 meters

  • Simultaneous Berths: 16 ships

  • Coordinates: 10.2925° N, 123.8983° E

  • Maximum Draft: 11 meters

Description:
The Port of Cebu is one of the oldest and most significant ports in the Philippines, playing a crucial role in the country's history as a trading hub. It handles a diverse range of cargo, including containers, sugar, and furniture. The port’s strategic location in the central Philippines makes it a vital logistics hub for both domestic and international trade.



3. Port of Batangas

  • Location: Batangas City, Luzon

  • Annual Throughput: 1.5 million TEUs 

  • Port Area: 150 hectares

  • Key Cargo: Vehicles, oil, chemicals

  • Established: 1960

  • Berth Length: 6,000 meters

  • Simultaneous Berths: 18 ships

  • Coordinates: 13.7565° N, 121.0583° E

  • Maximum Draft: 15 meters

Description:
The Port of Batangas is a key industrial port in Luzon, known for handling large volumes of vehicles, oil, and chemicals. It is one of the primary gateways for automotive imports and oil distribution in the Philippines. The port’s modern facilities and proximity to Manila enhance its role as a critical hub for industrial cargo.



4. Port of Davao

  • Location: Davao City, Mindanao

  • Annual Throughput: 1.2 million TEUs 

  • Port Area: 90 hectares

  • Key Cargo: Bananas, pineapples, containers

  • Established: 1900

  • Berth Length: 4,500 meters

  • Simultaneous Berths: 14 ships

  • Coordinates: 7.0659° N, 125.6067° E

  • Maximum Draft: 12 meters

Description:
The Port of Davao is the largest port in Mindanao and a major gateway for agricultural exports, particularly bananas and pineapples. The port also handles significant container traffic, supporting trade within the ASEAN region and beyond. Davao’s strategic location makes it a vital hub for the export of agricultural products from Mindanao.



5. Port of Subic Bay

  • Location: Zambales, Luzon

  • Annual Throughput: 1.1 million TEUs 

  • Port Area: 100 hectares

  • Key Cargo: Containers, vehicles, general cargo

  • Established: 1992

  • Berth Length: 5,500 meters

  • Simultaneous Berths: 16 ships

  • Coordinates: 14.7950° N, 120.2717° E

  • Maximum Draft: 14 meters

Description:
Subic Bay is a freeport zone and a major port in Luzon, playing a critical role in handling containers, vehicles, and general cargo. The port's strategic location, deep-water berths, and modern infrastructure make it an essential hub for both commercial and industrial activities, particularly for trade with North America and Europe.



6. Port of Cagayan de Oro

  • Location: Misamis Oriental, Mindanao

  • Annual Throughput: 900,000 TEUs

  • Port Area: 85 hectares

  • Key Cargo: Containers, agricultural products, timber

  • Established: 1975

  • Berth Length: 3,800 meters

  • Simultaneous Berths: 12 ships

  • Coordinates: 8.4811° N, 124.6459° E

  • Maximum Draft: 10 meters

Description:
Cagayan de Oro is a significant port in northern Mindanao, known for handling containers, agricultural products, and timber. The port’s strategic location makes it a key logistics hub for trade within Mindanao and with the rest of the Philippines, as well as for exports to Asia.



7. Port of Iloilo

  • Location: Iloilo City, Visayas

  • Annual Throughput: 750,000 TEUs 

  • Port Area: 70 hectares

  • Key Cargo: Rice, sugar, general cargo

  • Established: 1855

  • Berth Length: 3,200 meters

  • Simultaneous Berths: 10 ships

  • Coordinates: 10.7202° N, 122.5621° E

  • Maximum Draft: 9 meters

Description:
The Port of Iloilo is a major port in the Visayas region, primarily serving the agricultural sector. It handles rice, sugar, and general cargo, supporting both the local economy and regional trade. Iloilo’s strategic location enhances its role as a key logistics hub for the central Philippines.



8. Port of General Santos

  • Location: South Cotabato, Mindanao

  • Annual Throughput: 700,000 metric tons

  • Port Area: 65 hectares

  • Key Cargo: Tuna, fishery products, general cargo

  • Established: 1999

  • Berth Length: 3,000 meters

  • Simultaneous Berths: 8 ships

  • Coordinates: 6.1060° N, 125.1713° E

  • Maximum Draft: 11 meters

Description:
General Santos is a major port in southern Mindanao, particularly known for its role in the tuna and fishing industry. The port handles large volumes of fishery products, supporting both local and international markets. General Santos’s strategic location enhances its role as a key hub for the fishing sector in the Philippines.



9. Port of Zamboanga

  • Location: Zamboanga City, Mindanao

  • Annual Throughput: 600,000 metric tons 

  • Port Area: 60 hectares

  • Key Cargo: Fishery products, rice, general cargo

  • Established: 1907

  • Berth Length: 2,500 meters

  • Simultaneous Berths: 7 ships

  • Coordinates: 6.9220° N, 122.0807° E

  • Maximum Draft: 9 meters

Description:
The Port of Zamboanga is an important port in western Mindanao, handling fishery products, rice, and general cargo. The port supports the local economy and regional trade, with its strategic location making it a crucial hub for trade with nearby ASEAN countries.



10. Port of Bacolod

  • Location: Negros Occidental, Visayas

  • Annual Throughput: 500,000 metric tons 

  • Port Area: 55 hectares

  • Key Cargo: Sugar, molasses, general cargo

  • Established: 1909

  • Berth Length: 2,200 meters

  • Simultaneous Berths: 6 ships

  • Coordinates: 10.6667° N, 122.9500° E

  • Maximum Draft: 8 meters

Description:
Bacolod is a key port in the Visayas region, known for handling sugar and molasses, which are significant exports from Negros Occidental. The port also handles general cargo, supporting the local economy and regional trade. Bacolod’s strategic location enhances its role as a key logistics hub for the sugar industry.



11. Port of Bataan

  • Location: Bataan Peninsula, Luzon

  • Annual Throughput: 400,000 metric tons 

  • Port Area: 50 hectares

  • Key Cargo: Oil, chemicals, general cargo

  • Established: 1976

  • Berth Length: 1,800 meters

  • Simultaneous Berths: 5 ships

  • Coordinates: 14.6698° N, 120.4402° E

  • Maximum Draft: 14 meters

Description:
The Port of Bataan is an industrial port on the Bataan Peninsula, primarily serving the oil and chemical industries. The port handles significant volumes of oil and chemicals, supporting both the local economy and industrial activities in the region. Bataan’s strategic location along Manila Bay makes it a key logistics hub for industrial cargo.



Conclusion

The Philippines' ports are essential to the country’s economic development, each offering unique capabilities that support the nation’s global trade. These ports not only facilitate the export of the Philippines' agricultural products, manufactured goods, and natural resources but also serve as crucial links in the international supply chain. Understanding the details of these ports helps businesses optimize their logistics strategies, enhancing supply chain efficiency.



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