Six port operators are opening or expanding operations within the vicinity of the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) in what could become the largest expansion ever in the freeport’s bustling economy.
In a presentation at the 2026 Ports and Logistics Conference and Exhibition on March 11, 2026, Atty. Lawrence K. Pelaez, manager for the enterprise division of FAB’S operating agency, the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), said interest in the freeport surged after the Authority’s amended charter allowed properties across the entire province of Bataan to be declared as FAB expansion areas.
Among the new developments is Pilar Harbor City, which is currently building a port in the town of Pilar.
Several existing operators are also expanding. Seafront is constructing a new dry docking port terminal in Mariveles. San Miguel Brewery is building a new Malt Terminal, also in Mariveles.
Power Grain is expanding its port facility within FAB’s original area, now referred to as the main zone. Meanwhile, cement trader Philcement plans to convert its port terminal from non-commercial to commercial use.
Mariveles Harbor is also building what will be the very first container terminal at the Freeport Area of Bataan.
Existing ports
To date, 12 ports are operating within the FAB vicinity.
Mariveles Grains Corporation, established in 1996, operates an agricultural commodities port. Herma Shipyard followed in 2001, specializing in ship repair, while Rouvia Road Yacht Design, started in 2006, focusing on yacht repair.
In 2010, Camaya Coast Station 1 opened a passenger ferry port, while the FAB Ferry Terminal, established in 2011, also handles passenger ferry services.
GN Power Mariveles Energy Center, established in 2013, operates a coal port capable of accommodating Supramax vessels.
Two commercial ports followed: Mariveles Harbor Corporation in 2016 and Seafront Townsite in 2018. Philcement started a cement port in 2020.
More port operations handling coal shipments followed including GN Power Dinginin in 2021 as another coal port capable of receiving Capesize and Post-Panamax ships. Mariveles Power Generation, established in 2022, also operates a coal port.
Most recently, San Miguel Lighterage / Malt Terminal, established in 2024, operates a malt port.
“Coal, cement, and agricultural products top the items that pass through these ports,” Pelaez noted.
Total cargo volume across these ports has grown 141 percent over the past five years, increasing from 4.23 million metric tons in 2021 to 10.15 million metric tons last year.
According to Pelaez, the bustling economy in Mariveles has enabled AFAB to contribute its largest remittance yet to the national government—PHP138.118 million for 2025.
Strategic location
In 1969, the Philippines first embraced the concept of the free trade zone and proclaimed a portion of the town of Mariveles—including the area occupied by the National Shipyards and Steel Corporation (NASSCO)—as the country’s first Special Economic Zone.
“The area is now known as the Freeport Area of Bataan, a place bustling with energy – and economic activity,” said Pelaez.
Today, 80 enterprises are registered with AFAB, largely attracted by the fiscal incentives offered within the zone. An additional 214 businesses are licensed to operate in the area even without the benefit of incentives.
Pelaez attributed the strong economic activity in FAB not only to incentives and ease of doing business, but also to its strategic location.
The town of Mariveles has long held strategic value because of Mariveles Bay, which is prized for its natural depth and its ability to accommodate Capesize and Supramax vessels.
It could be recalled that in 1941, the Mariveles Naval Section Base was established there to serve as a logistics and support hub for the US Navy’s Asiatic Fleet.
In 1950, five years after World War II ended, the Philippine government recognized the need to develop domestic shipbuilding. It established the Bataan Shipyard under the National Shipyards and Steel Corporation (NASSCO) at the former US naval base along Mariveles Bay.
