As part of an ongoing collaborative mission to strengthen international maritime ties, the Japanese Maritime Research Group paid an official courtesy call to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Head Office on Thursday.
The high-level delegation met with key PPA officials, including Assistant General Manager for Operations Atty. Mark Jon Palomar and Port Management Office (PMO) NCR-South Port Manager Catherine R. Esto. Industry leaders from Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) and International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) were also present to share operational insights.
The collaborative meeting focused on key pillars of modern maritime management, fostering knowledge exchange between Japanese and Filipino industry experts. Core topics included:
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Port Operations & Industry Practices: Streamlining cargo handling and vessel turnaround times.
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Logistics & Connectivity: Enhancing port logistics and hinterland connectivity to facilitate smoother supply chains.
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Development Strategies & Sustainability: Showcasing green port initiatives and eco-friendly technologies.
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Emerging Projects: Reviewing future logistics infrastructure developments.
Following the technical discussions, the delegation conducted field visits to premier gateway terminals in Metro Manila to observe cutting-edge facilities in action:
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Manila South Harbor: Managed and operated by Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI).
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Manila International Container Terminal (MICT): Managed and operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI).
The site tours allowed the Japanese delegation to observe firsthand terminal operations, state-of-the-art handling equipment, and active sustainability practices implemented across both major hubs.
Prior to their arrival in Manila, the research group’s itinerary included extensive technical visits to PMO Panay/Guimaras and PMO Batangas, underscoring a nationwide assessment of the Philippines’ evolving maritime infrastructure.
