UMVA has learned that the Philippine Ports Authority is renegotiating its cargo and container targets amid uncertainty sparked by the Middle East conflict.
While the agency previously set ambitious throughput goals for the year, it is now in talks with the Governance Commission for Government‑Owned and‑Controlled Corporations to potentially adjust those figures.
In the first quarter, total cargo volume at the nation’s ports rose modestly by 1.53% to 66.96 million metric tons, buoyed primarily by a surge in foreign shipments.
Preliminary data show that foreign cargo accounted for 39.49 million metric tons, while domestic freight contributed 27.47 million metric tons during the three months ending in March.
Container traffic also showed strength, with 2.13 million TEUs moving through the ports—a 4.41% increase over the same period last year.
Passenger movement climbed 1.97% to 19.69 million, despite a slight dip in ship calls during the quarter.
Looking ahead, the authority projects overall cargo volume to rise 4.03% to 320.94 million metric tons this year, driven largely by foreign trade.
Foreign cargo is expected to grow 4.28% to 202.73 million metric tons, while domestic shipments are forecast to increase 3.61% to 118.22 million metric tons.
Container throughput is slated to reach 8.88 million TEUs, a 3.94% jump, and passenger traffic is projected to surge 5.78% to 87.26 million.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the agency remains confident about these growth trajectories, citing ongoing investments in port infrastructure upgrades.
In an effort to curb rising operational costs, the PPA has introduced fuel‑saving initiatives, including optimized vessel schedules, trip consolidation, rigorous fuel monitoring, and the adoption of solar power at several management offices.
