Philippines’ cargo throughput for 2010 hit the 165.11-million metric tonnes mark or 9.59 percent higher than the 150.73 million metric tones netted in 2009, reported the Philippine News Agency.

    The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) attributed this to strong performance of the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and the ports of Surigao and Limay as well as positive showing of import and export container cargo.

    The PPA said container throughput reached 4.47 million TEUs in 2010, up 11.45 percent from 3.99 million TEUs the previous year.
Domestic cargo volume dropped 5.06 million metric tonnes or 7.04 percent from 72 to 66.94 million metric tonnes due mainly to lower inbound and outbound volume at the North Harbor, South Harbor and the port of Legazpi.

    Despite a 4.57-percent reduction in volume handled from 2009, Batangas emerged as the country’s leading port, accounting for 12.08 percent of the 2010 total volume.

    MICT came in second with 11.12 percent of the aggregate, handling 18.26 mmt, 16.8 percent more than the 15.63 mmt in 2009.

    Strong exports of nickel silicate ores and mineral ores boosted volumes at the port of Surigao, making it the third biggest in terms of cargo throughput for 2010 with a 10.11-percent share of the total.

(Source:http://www.cargonewsasia.com)