By Genivi Factao

The country’s ports performed very well in the 11- month period of 2007, registering cargo volume of 148.02 million metric tons (mmt), 5.65 percent higher from 140.11 mmt in the same period in 2006, according to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

"The total cargo throughput increased by 5.65 percent or 7.914 mmt. which can be attributed to the increase in foreign cargo of 9.86 percent," PPA said. Foreign cargo also increased to 81.93 mmt from 74.58 mmt last year.

PPA also said port revenues went up by 4.72 percent to P5.429 billion from P5.184 billion in 2006, and has surpassed the revenue target of P5.504 billion.

Its positive performance is its fourth month in a row.

The report said the increase in foreign volume was recorded highest at the Manila International Container Terminal with 13.93 mmt; Cagayan de Oro, 13.06 mmt; Batangas, 11.58 mmt; Limay, 10.34 mmt; Surigao,7.89 mmt; and South Harbor, 5.87 mmt.

Both exports and imports posted positive growth rates. Exports rose from 26.69 mmt to 33.12 mmt while imports went up to 48.81 mmt. from 47.89 mmt.

Domestic cargo volume posted a modest growth of 0.86 percent from January to November from 65.53 mmt to 66.10 mmt.

Container traffic remained also increased by 7.47 percent to 3.64 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) compared from last year’s 3.38 million TEUs.

Foreign boxed cargoes rose by 13.42 percent to 2.14 million TEUs wherein imports contributed 1.09 million TEUs or an increase of 13.88 percent while exports contributed 1.05 million TEUs , up 12.95 percent

The PPA said "the active flow of this cargo type in major gateways such as North Harbor, South Harbor, MICT, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and General Santos contributed to the increase."

Domestic boxed cargoes, retreated by 0.06 percent from 1.495 million TEUs to 1.494 million TEUs, citing the preference to use Ro-Ro highway.

Vessel traffic went up by 1.85 percent compared to last year. Domestic and foreign shipcalls increased by 1.72 percent and 5.69 percent respectively.

Passenger traffic, rose by 3.97 percent or 1.512 million as Strong Republic Nautical Highway component ports maintained an impressive double-digit growth rates particularly in Batangas, Calapan and Ozamis.