Vol. XXI, No. 165 [ Business World Online ]
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
DAVAO CITY — The P396-million expansion of Sasa wharf, this city’s main seaport, is five months ahead of its target completion and is expected to be fully operational by August, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)-Port Management Office District Manager Abdussabor A. Sawadjaan said in a statement yesterday.
The north side expansion, which forms part of the pipeline projects of the PPA until 2010, is designed to increase the storage area and augment the linear berthing capacity of the wharf.
Mr. Sawadjaan said the expansion would trigger a surge in the volume of cargoes in the port since many exporters, particularly those from the banana sectors, now use the more expensive private ports. "If completed, they [exporters] are expected to flock to government ports because it’s cheaper," he said, adding that private ports collect 50% higher dues because of the taxes waived on public ports.
A PPA report said Sasa Wharf is now nearing its maximum berthing occupancy at 62%, approaching the 70% maximum prescribed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
Construction in the wharf started on Feb. 7 last year. It is currently ahead of the target scheduled date by 10.89% as of Feb. 25, 2008, said the PPA report.
Mr. Sawadjaan said the plan is to dig the sea bed to achieve the 15-meter ideal berthing depth of areas surrounding the port. He said that would be deeper than the usual depth of 10 meters on private ports. — Joel B. Escovilla
_______________________________________________________________________
