Port operators warn: P200K hike in shipping costs loom due to Gatchalians’ Manila Bay reclamation

Port operators warn: P200K hike in shipping costs loom due to Gatchalians’ Manila Bay reclamation
October 25, 2023 https://bilyonaryo.com/2023/10/25/port-operators-warn-p200k-hike-in-ship...

Shipping costs could rise by as much as $4,000 (roughly P227,000) if sea vessels were to pass through a new lane to give way to the Gatchalian family’s Manila Waterfront City and other Manila Bay reclamation projects.

Port operators sounded the alarm over the 14 reclamation projects that have secured approval from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) during the Senate committee on environment, climate change and natural resources hearing.

The Asian Terminal In. (ATI) said four of the 14 projects, including the brainchild of “Plastics King” William Gatchalian, will affect its operations at the Manila South Harbor.

“When we saw the layout of the geographical map, it actually covered the entrance channel to our facility, the inner breakwater where the port would actually be going into, and our inner anchorage,” ATI Senior Vice President Sean Perez said.

The 35-member Association of International Shipping Lines said it would be more costly for sea vessels to pass through Manila Bay once the reclamation projects have been completed.

“Each vessel that will pass through that new channel might cost an additional $3,000 to $4,000,” said AISL President Patrick Ronas.

Senator Cynthia Villar, the committee chairman, said the development of ports should be the government’s priority instead of reclamation projects.

Other reclamation projects which would reportedly have an adverse impact on port operations include the Pasay Harbor City of Charlie Gonzalez, Manila Horizon of Jesusito Legaspi Jr.’s JBros Construction Corporation, and Manila Solar City of the Tieng family.