SNPSI offers new opportunities to FAB locators with new port

MARIVELES – Locators at the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) will soon be able to directly ship their products to Manila and outside the country with the construction of Seasia Nectar Port Services, Inc.’s (SNPSI) Mariveles Dry Bulk Terminal.

SNPSI presents the architectural plan of the Mariveles Dry Bulk Terminal.

SNPSI, a joint venture company between Seasia Logistic Philippines, Inc. and Nectar Group Ltd., officially started the development of the 11.4-hectare port with a recently held groundbreaking ceremony.

SNPSI Chairman Ramon Atayde, Bataan Cong. Enrique “Tet” Garcia, Gov. Albert Raymond Garcia and Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) Chairman and Administrator Deogracias Custodio led the event, which was conducted a year after the firm completed its feasibility study on the terminal operations.

Mr. Atayde said that the planned dry bulk terminal is designed to handle shipment of coal, clinker, silica sand and other cement raw materials, steel, fertilizer and other dry bulk cargo. SNPSI will also build facilities for warehousing, stevedoring, lightering and towing of cargo.

The SNPSI chairman noted that the port would be built and operated according to the international health, safety and environmental standards of clients. “We will ensure that the facility will meet the clients’ standards and employ efficient and proper cargo handling methods to avoid any impact to the environment,” he added.

The construction of the terminal will be done in 3 phases, according to a SNPSI report. The first phase includes the development of a 5.9-hectare port facility that has a 247-meter quay with a 13.5 meters draft.

Phase 1 will accommodate two vessels of about 120 meters long, or one supramax/panama vessel, as well as handle a capacity of at least 3 million tons per year. The second and third phases will expand the bulk terminal to accommodate another two vessels or one supramax/panama vessel.

Commercial operations of the new port are set in 2016 as SNPSI said that it would need at least one year to totally develop the terminal’s facilities.

AFAB, Bataan govt back SNPSI project

AFAB Chairman Custodio expressed support for the project noting that SNPSI will surely help the people on the ground as it brings more investment opportunities to the FAB.

The AFAB administrator noted that his SNPSI counterpart vowed to employ local residents to help in the expansion of the economy of Bataan. He added that with the establishment of the first port in the FAB, more investors are expected to locate in the freeport and give jobs to the people.

“The presence of SNPSI would help in attracting more investors to locate at the FAB as costs of shipment would be reduced,” Chairman Custodio said. “This project gives us confidence to market ourselves to other kind of industries worldwide. With this, we assure SNPSI that you will have the full support of the AFAB,” he added.

AFAB Chairman Custodio delivers his message during the groundbreaking ceremony

Gov. Garcia, meanwhile, also congratulated SNPSI for its port project and thanked the firm for choosing the FAB and trusting the administration of the provincial government and the AFAB.

“The creation of the port is another milestone toward attaining the vision of Bataan and the FAB to be the preferred location of investments and record the highest human development index in the country,” Gov. Garcia said, noting that it would provide easy access for the manufacturing hub to the world market.

Gov. Garcia expresses support for SNPSI’s port operation, thanking the firm for trusting the administration of the AFAB and the provincial government of Bataan.

Written by

AFAB