DP World and Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) have announced the opening of Tanza Barge Terminal in Cavite, Philippines, to facilitate smoother and faster transport of goods and raw materials to and from the capital via sea barging.

Located within the newly designated MetroCas Industrial Estates Special Economic Zone — south of the country's capital, Manila — the Tanza Barge Terminal is designed to handle almost 240,000 TEUs annually and will be managed by ATI-subsidiary Tanza Container Terminal Incorporated.

 [Source: DP World]

DP World noted in a statement that Tanza Barge Terminal offers cargo owners a more efficient and sustainable alternative to trucking in the face of ongoing road congestion issues.

With its container yard, causeway, berth, jetty, breakwater and deck facilities, the barge terminal is projected to save around 150,000 truck trips yearly.

DP World noted that initially, three weekly trips would shuttle containers between Tanza Barge Terminal and Manila South Harbor (also operated by ATI), with each leg able to carry around 100 x 40ft laden containers each way, with plans for future expansion of services.

The barge berth has two fixed harbour cranes, with the 4-hectare yard complemented by two reach stackers and four internal transfer vehicles.

The terminal is also registered as a Customs Facility and Warehouse under the Philippines' Bureau of Customs.

"Tanza Barge Terminal is a fantastic example of how DP World collaborates with its partners across the world to enhance trade networks through smart, market-responsive solutions. As strategic partners, DP World and ATI have developed a long-term solution that addresses urgent customer needs and fosters economic development across the country," said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World.

"Apart from connecting different parts of the local supply chain ecosystem, we are confident that this innovative sea transport system will serve as a template for how domestic seaways can be transformed into economic superhighways elsewhere in the Asia Pacific and around the world," he added.

Eusebio Tanco, president of ATI, said: "We are very pleased to offer an innovative and transformative trade solution for the Philippine supply chain. Through our partnership with DP World, Tanza Barge Terminal brings shipment faster and smarter to beneficial cargo owners."

"This is a perfect complement to the government's push for inclusive and sustainable growth anchored on trade facilitation and job generation initiatives in partnership with local and international stakeholders," he added.

Tereso Panga, director general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), said the opening of Tanza Barge Terminal by DP World and ATI represents a vote of confidence in the new special economic zone, with an investment that will not only spur growth in the area but also bolster trade more widely around the Philippines.

"By establishing a direct sea link between Cavite and Manila, the new barge terminal offers a vital conduit for the efficient movement of goods, thereby boosting development within and beyond the export zone," Panga added.

DP World became ATI's strategic foreign equity partner in 2006. This partnership has resulted in the modernisation of Batangas Port as a fully integrated port gateway and the continued optimization of operations at Manila South Harbor.