PORT UPDATES
Marine to accommodate larger cruise vessels, and advancing its ECHO pro- gram to protect endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales through volun- tary vessel slowdowns. Looking ahead, Xotta emphasized the importance of the long-awaited Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project, a transformative 320-acre island expan- sion designed to dramatically boost Canada’s container handling cap- acity. After a decade of environmental reviews and permitting, the project is nearing approval. “We’re optimistic,” Xotta said, add- ing that he and DP World executives recently hosted the Prime Minister, who offered “very positive feedback” on the port’s trade infrastructure initia- tives. Once completed, Roberts Bank Terminal 2 will position Vancouver to meet surging demand from Asia-Pacific markets and further solidify Canada’s role as a key player in global trade. “We’re seeing tremendous growth opportunities along the West Coast,” Xotta said. “By expanding capacity and deepening partnerships, we’re ensuring Canada remains a leader in sustainable, reliable global commerce.” Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Von Rodriguez, Chief of Staff for the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), started by providing a brief overview, noting that the former Subic Naval Base had been the lar- gest U.S. military base outside of the American mainland up until its clos- ure in 1992 following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo and decision of the Philippine Senate to no longer renew the agreement for such use. Then came the establishment of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone out of the former Subic Naval Base and its contiguous exten- sion and with it was the creation of the SBMA as the administrator and oper- ator of the said Freeport.
Rendering of the proposed Roberts Bank Terminal 2 — Vancouver Fraser Port Authority CEO Peter Xotta noted the project would create a 320-acre island expansion to meet future needs.
manufacturers of semi-conductors and textiles, among others, whose supply chains rely on SBMA’s growing cargo infrastructure. The Subic Bay Freeport Zone is also reclaiming its position in shipbuilding, with a major global ship- builder beginning operations — reviv- ing the industry after the closure of Hanjin’s shipyard several years ago. Now, in line with the SBMA’s green agenda, several renewable energy pro- jects are also underway including a shore power project to reduce vessel emissions. In fact, the Freeport now houses an operational solar farm with a capacity of around 150 MW. Relatedly, the SBMA also recently procured electric buses for local trans- port and is developing port recep- tion and waste management facilities. Further, as another green initiative,
Once more reliant on real estate leases, SBMA’s revenues from its sea- port operations had grown and now has become its principal source of income. The SBMA had taken advan- tage of the Freeport’s major asset as a multi-modal port as it handles cargoes by land, air and sea. “This is driv- ing a new era of growth and sustain- ability,” Rodriguez said. “We are now one of the Philippines’ most dynamic Freeport and logistics hubs, generat- ing around four billion Philippine pesos annually (roughly $69 million US dollars.) and supports approximately 170,000 workers.” The Freeport’s container termin- als have a total current capacity of 600,000 TEUs, with plans to expand by another 300,000 TEUs in the coming years. The port also hosts
An overview of the facilities at Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority on the western coast of the Island of Luzon, the Phlippines.
October/November 2025 — PACIFIC PORTS — 19
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