Manila: The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Thursday said major ports in the National Capital Region (NCR) are operating efficiently with no signs of congestion despite an increase in cargo volumes.

According to Philippines News Agency, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago reported that the Manila South Harbor (MSH) and the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) have a yard utilization rate of 59 percent and 71 percent, respectively. Santiago highlighted the growth in container traffic, with MSH handling 1.29 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in 2024, marking a 6.92 percent increase from the previous year's 1.21 million TEUs. Similarly, MICT's throughput rose by 5.08 percent, reaching 2.95 million TEUs in 2024 from 2.76 million TEUs in 2023.

Santiago noted that the yard utilization rate at the Port of Manila remains within optimal levels to ensure the continuous flow of trade. He emphasized that despite the increase in cargo volumes, ports have been operating smoothly, preventing any backlogs or delays in shipments. Typically, yard utilization at the Port of Manila ranges from 67% to 70%, with a slight peak during the holiday season.

He attributed the sustained performance of these ports to modernization and expansion initiatives, digitalization of operations, and close coordination with private terminal operators and logistics providers. Santiago called for inter-agency cooperation to further develop solutions for logistics, expand regional ports as alternate gateways, and establish a crisis management framework to address potential supply chain issues.

Santiago emphasized the importance of digitalization in enhancing port infrastructures and operations. He stated that transitioning to a digital network would support more efficient operations and contribute to economic growth through the smooth flow of trade and real-time data.

The PPA projects cargo throughput for 2025 to reach 301.47 million metric tons (MMT), driven by strong domestic consumption and sustained public investments. Santiago also announced upcoming infrastructure projects to enhance logistics capabilities nationwide, including a cargo ship port in Dapa in Surigao del Norte and improvements at Banago Port in Bacolod.