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Located inManila, Philippines
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Sats To Invest Over $193M In Changi AirportSATS Ltd will invest over S$250 million (US$193 million) for its Singapore Hub (SG Hub) to upgrade ground operations and cargo handling infrastructure at Changi Airport.
The investment includes over S$150 million (US$115 million) to be spent over the next five years for the renewal and expansion of SG Hub’s ground support equipment fleet and S$100 million (US$77 million) to enhance cargo operations over the next two years.
Singapore-headquartered SATS provides the main air cargo, ground handling and in-flight catering services at the Changi Airport. It is one of the world’s largest providers of air cargo handling services and Asia’s leading airline caterer.
SATS’ announcement comes after Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong led groundbreaking ceremonies for Changi Terminal 5 on May 14. Mega Terminal 5 will allow Changi Airport to significantly increase its handling capacity, optimize operations and leverage new opportunities as travel demand continues to increase in the decades ahead, Changi Airport authorities said.
In a statement, SATS said its initiatives will enhance operational reliability and safety, optimize turnaround times, and support growing cargo volumes at Changi Airport through to the mid-2030s when the new Terminal 5 and Changi East Industrial Zone are projected to begin operations.
“The multi-million dollar investments by SATS Singapore Hub mark an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to future-proof Singapore’s aviation ground handling and cargo operations. While the opening of Changi Airport Terminal 5 is about 10 years away, SATS is already undertaking extensive preparations to handle future operational demands by modernizing our equipment and infrastructure alongside efforts to raise and sustain a future-ready and resilient workforce,” said Henry Low, CEO of SATS Singapore Hub.
SATS established SG Hub on October 1, 2024 as a dedicated business division to support airport operations at Singapore’s Air Hub, which groups Changi Airport, Seletar Airport and the aviation industries at these gateways.
The division strengthens SATS’ position as Changi Airport’s leading solutions provider, powered by a future-ready workforce and systems that drive the global competitiveness of Singapore’s Air Hub.
SG Hub provides ground handling services such as passenger handling, baggage services, aircraft handling, security services and cargo handling services needed for safe, efficient and timely airport operations.
In tandem with investments to enhance infrastructure and fleet assets, SG Hub is nurturing a future-ready and resilient workforce that is trained, organized and equipped to support traffic growth at Singapore’s airports.
SG Hub’s focus on its people comes amid increasing competition in Singapore and internationally for talent in the aviation sector. Efforts on this front include job redesign to enhance meaningful and rewarding career pathways, upskilling initiatives, attracting new talent into its 7,800-strong workforce and leveraging technology like autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence to boost productivity, said the Singapore-based company.
“As a Singapore-headquartered multinational company, Changi Airport remains the cornerstone of our business strategy and a flagship hub for our global network. These upgrades and enhancements will enable us to support our airline customers more effectively and ensure that Singapore continues to excel as a world-leading air hub,” said Low.port-and-ship
May 16, 2025
Port Calls
San Juanico Bridge Closed To Vehicles Exceeding 3 TonsSan Juanico Bridge is closed to all vehicles exceeding the 3-ton gross weight limit. The restriction, which took effect recently, makes way for a nearly two-year, P900-million rehabilitation to address the bridge’s structural integrity.
The 2.16-kilometer San Juanico Bridge stretches from Samar to Leyte Island and is one of the longest bridges along the Pan-Philippine Highway connecting Luzon and Mindanao. It was built in August 1969 and completed in 1973.
Vehicles barred from the bridge may instead use roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ports, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 8. These Ro-Ro ports identified by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) include:
PPA in a statement said it is coordinating with stakeholders to ensure smooth operations of the identified ports.
Land travelers from Samar are being advised to take a 15-minute boat ride from San Antonio village in Basey, Samar, to downtown Tacloban.
The temporary weight restriction complies with a May 8 memo issued by Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
“This measure is strictly enforced to ensure motorist safety, mitigate risks associated with identified damage, and facilitate essential repair and maintenance work,” DPWH Region 8 said.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte, Inc. president Eugene Tan in a radio interview warned of supply chain disruptions leading to possible shortages and higher prices of goods in the region due to the cost of freight using Ro-Ro vessels. He expressed hopes the repairs may be fast-tracked.
Blue alert
A Philippine News Agency report said the entire Eastern Visayas region has been placed under blue alert status on Friday (May 16) by the Regional Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) because of bridge repairs.
RDRRMC chairperson and Office of Civil Defense regional director Lord Byron Torrecarion on Friday said “all concerned agencies will mobilize resources to help those stranded. With this measure, we hope to normalize the situation within two weeks.”
Under the blue alert status, all regional response teams and assets must be on standby for possible deployment to areas affected by load limit restrictions. Agencies may use their respective quick response funds for the purpose.port-and-ship
May 16, 2025
Port Calls
Adb Oks $1.45B Final Tranche For Malolos-Clark Railway ProjectThe Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $1.45 billion as the second and final tranche of its multi-tranche financing facility for the Malolos–Clark Railway Project (MCRP).
The MCRP is a 53.1-kilometer segment of the 163-km North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR), “which will reshape mass transportation in the country using disaster-resilient design and high-technology construction methods”, ADB said in a statement.
ADB approved the project’s $1.3-billion tranche 1 of the financing facility in 2019, now fully utilized.
“The Malolos–Clark Railway Project is one of ADB’s biggest project financing in the entire Asia and Pacific region,” ADB Philippines country director Pavit Ramachandran said.
“We are proud to partner with the government in making the vision of a world-class mass transportation system in the country a reality. This major transformative project will spur more investments, create jobs, and contribute to sustaining the country’s growth momentum,” Ramachandran added.
The MCRP features three types of commuter service—regular commuter trains, express trains with stops at stations with high passenger demand, and the country’s first airport express trains connecting to Clark International Airport. ADB said the rail line will help lower the country’s greenhouse gas emissions with the shift to mass transit from private vehicles.
Aside from helping decongest Metro Manila, the MCRP will promote regional economic integration by creating linkages to the Central Luzon Corridor.
ADB said it will continue to assist in the implementation of the MCRP and “provide livelihood support for vulnerable communities via technical assistance.”
Aside from the MCRP, ADB is also financing the southern leg of the NSCR system, the South Commuter Railway Project.
The NSCR is co-financed by ADB and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The NSCR aims to seamlessly connect Clark, Pampanga and Calamba, Laguna by linking Metro Manila to its neighboring provinces. It will have 35 stations and run on 51 commuter train sets and seven express train sets. The rail line is expected to serve more than 600,000 passengers daily on full operations and cut travel time from end to end to less than two hours from four to 4.5 hours.
READ: PNR endorses freight train integration alongside NSCR projectport-and-ship
Apr 17, 2025
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Apr 16, 2025
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Marina To Post Marine Safety Investigation Reports On WebsiteThe Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will now post marine safety investigation reports on its website to help address safety issues.
The posting does not seek to apportion blame or determine liability, according to MARINA Advisory (MA) No. 2025-07. “Instead, these investigations are separate from and independent of any criminal, administrative or other form of investigations and shall serve solely to prevent future recurrence of incidents,” the advisory said.
The posting is in “the interest of service” and in keeping with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Code of International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident (Casualty Investigation Code), and MARINA Circular (MC) No. MS-2022-01.
Under the Casualty Investigation Code and MARINA MC No. MS-2022-01, maritime safety investigations are conducted with the objective of preventing maritime casualties or incidents in the future.
Currently, there is already one safety investigation report on the swamping and sinking of a landing craft tank in 2023 published in MARINA’s website.
Seafarers, shipowners, and all other concerned maritime entities are enjoined to utilize the reports to address safety issues and to uphold the highest standards of safety. They are, however, refrained from using the reports for purposes beyond improving the maritime safety, that can lead to inaccurate or misleading interpretations undermining the very essence of its purpose.
The marine safety reports published on the MARINA website will be limited only to cover “very serious marine casualties” involving conventional vessels and/or other cases, as may be deemed appropriate by the maritime authority, containing significant valuable insights that may help improve the overall maritime safety.
Very serious marine casualties refer to marine incidents that involve the total loss of ship, loss of life, or severe damage to the environment.
MARINA MC No. MS-2022-01 adopts the Casualty Investigation Code as an integral part of the rules and regulations on the conduct of marine safety investigations into marine casualty/incident. The Code’s objective is to provide a common approach for IMO member states, such as the Philippines, to adopt in the conduct of marine safety investigations into marine casualties and marine incidents.
Under the Code and other IMO treaties, party states have the obligation to provide IMO with reports on marine casualty and incidents, which are used in the organization’s casualty analysis process, which, in turn, supports the IMO decision-making process.port-and-ship
Apr 16, 2025
Port Calls
Scoot Makes Inaugural Call At Iloilo AirportScoot made its inaugural call at Iloilo International Airport, marking the official launch of its direct route between Singapore and Iloilo.
“This new direct connection not only strengthens existing ties but also opens opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Iloilo and Singapore,” according to CAAP Area VI in a social media post.
Scoot Airlines will initially operate the Iloilo-Singapore flights every Monday and Wednesday, and then include Friday and Sunday starting June 2025.
Nestled in the heart of the Philippine archipelago, Iloilo City is a lively haven known for its stunning Spanish-era churches and one of the largest religious feasts in the Philippines, the Dinagyang Festival, Scoot noted. It added that the city offers a perfect mix of cultural charm and hidden gems waiting to be discovered, making it an attractive escapade for a quick recharge.
Scoot chief executive officer Leslie Thng earlier said, “With the launch of direct flights to Iloilo City, we also hope to inspire our customers to explore more cities within South East Asia and embark on new travel experiences.”
Aside from Iloilo, Scoot also operates flights to other Philippine destinations such as Cebu, Clark, Davao, and Manila.port-and-ship
Apr 15, 2025
Port Calls
Bcda, Caap Boost Air Traffic Infrastructure At Clark AirportThe Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) signed a memorandum of agreement for the operation and maintenance of air traffic and communications infrastructure at Clark International Airport (CRK).
The agreement formalizes a shared approach wherein BCDA, as owner of the facilities, will shoulder the cost of operations and maintenance, while CAAP will be responsible for running and maintaining the airport’s air traffic services and communication, navigation, and surveillance systems.
The partnership is designed to ensure seamless coordination in operational support, systems integration, procurement, funding, and administrative compliance.
“These efforts are aimed to achieve enhanced operational efficiency and passenger experience and uphold the highest standards in aviation safety and productivity,” BCDA saidin a statement.
Meanwhile, the construction of the new Clark Air Traffic Control Tower is nearing completion. As of March 16, 2025, the 18-story tower is 91.27% complete and remains on track to be fully operational within the second quarter of this year. The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) earlier confirmed that the facility would be ready by mid-2025.
“The tower will become an outstanding asset of the Marcos administration and is aimed at improving facilities servicing the world-class Clark International Airport. We’ll be able to vastly improve Clark’s air traffic control system and allow for increased safety as we anticipate an increase in the volume of air travel,” said CIAC president Jojit Alcazar during a site inspection on March 25.port-and-ship
Apr 15, 2025
Port Calls
Arta, Dotr Collaborate To Address Port Congestion, Road TrafficThe Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are collaborating to address port congestion and road traffic along national thoroughfares through digital-based platforms.
In a statement, ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez said these platforms include ARTA proposed transportation-related initiatives, in particular the Unified Logistics Pass (ULP) and the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) on the Matnog Port Decongestion.
Perez and Transport Secretary Vince Dizon met on April 8 and agreed to work toward streamlining and digitalizing the transport and logistics sector for a more efficient logistics service delivery, according to ARTA.
The ULP is a single pass in the form of a quick response (QR) code that will be issued to cargo trucks to ensure the unhampered flow of goods. It is intended to eliminate various permits, licenses, and pass-through stickers being required by economic zones, ports, and local government units (LGU) in order to facilitate movement and ease of port entry of cargo trucks.
The ULP, which was initiated by ARTA during the pandemic, was formally turned over to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in 2022 as owner and lead implementer of the ULP system It was pilot tested in three areas, Cavite Export Processing Zone, Clark Freeport Zone, and Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
The ULP is currently not being used but LTFRB last year said it intends to release an upgraded version of the system.
Despite potential challenges such as connectivity for drivers, the devices to be utilized for the system’s integration, and the large quantity of target users, ARTA said they, together with DOTr and PPA, “have unanimously agreed on the system’s implementation.”
It added that PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago and DOTr maritime assistant secretary Villamor Ventura Plan recommended PPA to lead the implementation of the ULP, which will then be integrated into the Philippine Ports Authority’s (PPA) existing system in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. ARTA and the PPA identified focal persons to integrate the systems.
The JMC, meanwhile, aims to reduce congestion, particularly in queuing, marshalling, loading, and embarkation of passengers and rolling cargoes at Matnog Port. Signed in November 2022, it also seeks to ensure efficient delivery of government services and address rampant fixing in the immediate vicinity of the port.
READ: ARTA implements circular addressing Matnog Port congestion
Signatories include ARTA, DOTr, PPA, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Office, Office of Civil Defense, provincial government of Sorsogon, and municipal government of Matnog.
Private partners include the University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Inc., Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development, World Bank, Climate and Sustainability Risk Advisory Association of RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) Operators, and FastCat.
Matnog port, a jump-off port from Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao that handles RoRo vessels and services passengers, has been known to suffer perennial congestion and truck queuing, especially during the holidays when passengers travelling home flock the terminal. There are also allegations of extortion activities at the gateway, such as fixers reportedly asking passengers for money and truckers being asked for payment so they can onboard vessels quickly.
“In pursuit of providing efficient services to improve the logistics sector in the country, ARTA, DOTr, and the Philippine Ports Authority exchanged recommendations that will effectively benefit the transport and the shipping industry,” ARTA said.port-and-ship
Apr 14, 2025
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Apr 14, 2025
Port Calls
Boc, Sbma Sign Deal For Rent-Free OperationsThe Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) have formalized a long-term agreement guaranteeing BOC’s continued rent-free operations in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone for 25 years.
Signed on April 10, the memorandum of agreement allows the continued presence of the BOC in the Freeport while laying the groundwork for improved infrastructure and operational alignment between the two agencies.
Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and SBMA chairman and administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño signed the deal.
Under the agreement, the BOC is tasked with maintaining its facilities in compliance with environmental regulations, improving the handling of seized goods, and modernizing customs functions. In turn, SBMA will provide access to strategic property assets critical to BOC’s operations and support the construction of a new Port of Subic building.
“The Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and Bureau of Customs not only represents a 25-year, rent-free tenure within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone but most importantly it is a powerful, resounding affirmation of the enduring, symbiotic partnership that binds our two institutions,” Rubio said in a statement.
“We are confident that this partnership will lead to a surge in trade volumes, the attraction of new investments, and a substantial boost in revenue collection that will fund our government’s projects and uplift the lives of every Filipino,” he added.
Aliño emphasized that the envisioned infrastructure will raise the quality of service delivery across the Freeport, stating, “We are confident that, upon completion, this facility will enhance services and provide greater convenience for both Bureau of Customs clients and pre-port stakeholders.”
Port of Subic District Collector Atty. Marlon Fritz Broto said: “For SBMA, this deepened and revitalized partnership with BOC is not merely advantageous. It is a foundation for our continued success and future aspirations. Conversely, for BOC, this agreement provides a stable, predictable, and empowering framework for strategic long-term planning and development of future approved infrastructure and confident implementation of transformative solutions.”
BOC said the partnership aligns with the Marcos administration’s broader socioeconomic agenda, which calls for more effective inter-agency collaboration, streamlined bureaucratic processes, and robust trade facilitation.
READ: Broto back in Subic as district collectorport-and-ship
Apr 13, 2025