Philippine transportation department unveils upgrade plans for 14 ports

By Baird Maritime - August 18, 2023.

*Berthed ferries at Danao Port, Philippines (Photo: Cebu Port Authority)*

The Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) intends to upgrade 14 Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax ports throughout the country, an official of the department confirmed earlier this week.

Julius Yano, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Maritime, said the department is now looking for financing partners and technical consultants to participate in the upgrade of the ports.

The upgrade works have a total estimated cost of approximately PHP1.4 billion (US$24.7 million).

The ports to be upgraded all belong to the three major routes of the 919-kilometre-long Philippine Nautical Highway System. The system was established in 2003 to facilitate the affordable transport of passengers and goods via Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax vessels.