The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) reported it generated PHP389 million in revenues from port operations during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting a 20 percent increase from last year’s PHP324 million, on higher vessel and cargo revenues and robust ship calls.
SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao disclosed that the biggest contribution came from its seaport department, which generated PHP302 million. The airport unit generated PHP50 million, and the trade facilitation and compliance department (TFCD) contributed the rest of PHP36 million.
According to Yambao, the seaport department generated PHP302 million from higher vessel and cargo charges which increased by 31 percent, while the number of ship calls also increased by 20 percent.
In terms of ship calls, SBMA recorded a total of 463 calls by foreign and domestic vessels, 171 of which were bulk and break-bulk vessels, recording a 29 percent increase.
Meanwhile, there was also an 18 percent increase in recorded port calls with 159 liquid bulk vessels.
“Consequently, revenues from SBMA’s share in Pilotage Services also increased by 20 percent, while Tugboat Services posted a significant 75 percent growth,” he said.
Revenues from wharfage fees also escalated by 24 percent with an increase in total volume of containerized cargo by 3 percent. This was driven mainly by a 5 percent growth in imports, equivalent to 28,070 TEUs.
Major contributors included assorted food products from Ecossential Foods Corp., and rubber products from Yokohama Tires Philippines Inc. Export cargoes likewise grew substantially by 31 percent, reaching 15,757 TEUs, primarily contributed by DSV Air and Sea Inc. and Yokohama Tires Philippines Inc.
Meanwhile, non-containerized cargo volume posted a remarkable 30 percent increase, mainly driven by bulk and break-bulk cargoes, which rose by 47 percent. Key commodities contributing to this growth included rice (up by 331 percent), corn (up by 571 percent), soybeans (up by 15 percent), wheat (up by 16 percent), and liquid bulk petroleum products (up by 11 percent).
Yambao added that revenues from SBMA’s share in Cargo Handling Services increased by 22 percent, largely from Amerasia International Terminal Services Inc., Mega Subic Terminal Services Inc., and Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services Inc.
The Port of Subic Bay is one of the largest, busiest, and most strategically significant seaports in the Philippines. Managed by the SBMA, this naturally deep-water harbor operates within a tax and duty-free zone, making it a prime regional gateway for international trade across Asia and a vital economic alternative to the congested Port of Manila.
