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Batangas News

14 Mar 2023

Philippines Beefs Up Efforts to Contain Oil Leak from Sunken Tanker

(Photo: Philippine Coast Guard)

Philippine authorities have increased efforts to contain an oil spill from a sunken fuel tanker that has affected coastal towns and was still spreading, the environment ministry said on Tuesday, as the country grapples with cleanup challenges.Improvised spill booms made from cogon grass and coconut materials were helping to restrict oil leaking from MT Princess Empress, the Philippine-flagged tanker that encountered engine trouble in rough seas on Feb.

24 Oct 2022

AG&P Converts LNG Carrier intu FSU for LNG Import Terminal in the Philippines

©AG&P

Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific International Holdings (AG&P) said Sunday that it had converted the 137,512 cubic meter LNG carrier called ISH into a Floating Storage  Unit (FSU), which will be a part of an LNG import terminal in the Philippines from 2023."The ISH is a central component of the first Philippines LNG Import Terminal (PHLNG). Ready to be docked at AG&P's PHLNG facility in Batangas, the FSU is part of the combined offshore-onshore  import terminal that will have an initial capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).

21 Jul 2021

Svitzer Nets 10-Year Deal for Towing Services at Offshore LNG Terminal in the Philippines

BW Paris (File photo; BW Group)

Maersk's Svitzer, a maritime towage provider, has recently signed a 10-year deal with FGEN LNG, a First Gen subsidiary, for towage and other vessel support services required by FGEN LNG’s Offshore LNG Terminal in the Philippines.The LNG Terminal project will feature a leased Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) that will be located at the First Gen Clean Energy Complex in Batangas City in the Philippines.BW Group in April secured a 5-year contract with FGEN LNG for the charter of BW Paris…

08 Mar 2021

AG&P Gets OK to Develop the Philippines LNG Import Terminal in Batangas Bay

Illustration only - Wojciech Wrzesień/AdobeStock

- Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Company (AG&P) said on Monday its Philippines subsidiary has received the green light to develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import and regasification terminal in Batangas Bay, south of Manila.The firm, part owned by Osaka Gas and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, said the Philippines' energy department has issued it a notice to proceed to develop the terminal, known as Philippines LNG, which will provide the fuel to power plant, industrial…

28 Aug 2020

ReCAAP Issues Alert Over Armed Robberies at Batangas Anchorage

Two recent instances of violent armed robbery against ships berthed/anchored in Batangas, Philippines have prompted the ReCAAP Information Sharing Center (ICS) to alert the maritime community to dangers in the area.The two incidents occurred within an interval of seven days, and in both cases the perpetrators demonstrated violence toward crew with a knife.The first incident occurred on August 14 at about 10 a.m. local time, aboard the chemical/oil product tanker Pacific Sapphire berthed at Bauan, International Port Inc., Batangas.

13 Aug 2020

Shell to Shut Down Philippine Refinery and Turn It into Import Terminal

Illustration only: Credit: MAGNIFIER/AdobeStock

The Philippine unit of Royal Dutch Shell said on Tuesday it will permanently shut one of the country's two oil refineries, blaming a pandemic-led slump in margins, with other regional closures likely to follow, according to analysts.Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp said its 110,000-barrel-per-day Tabangao facility in Batangas province, which began operations in 1962, was no longer economically viable and would be turned into an import terminal.Singapore's complex refining margin…

20 Sep 2021

Chevron Wraps Sale of Malampaya Field Stake

U.S. oil major Chevron has completed the exit from the Shell-operated Malampaya gas project offshore the Philippines with the sale of its 45% non-operating interest in the field to Udenna Corporation. The sale deal was signed in October 2019.The Malampaya natural gas field lies about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of the Philippine island of Palawan. Net daily production during 2019 averaged 136 million cubic feet of natural gas and 3,000 barrels of condensate.Produced from fields at water depths of about 2…

11 Dec 2019

Asia Reports 8 Piracy Incidents in November

A total of eight incidents of armed robbery were reported against ships in Asia in November 2019, according to ReCAAP ISC monthly piracy report.ReCAAP said of the eight incidents reported in November 2019, five incidents, comprising four actual incidents and one attempted incident, occurred in the Singapore Strait.The total number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported during January-November 2019 has decreased by 4%, but the number of actual incidents has increased by 3% compared to January-November 2018.The report stated that of the six actual incidents reported in November 2019, three were CAT 3 incidents and three were CAT 4 incidents.All three CAT 3 incidents occurred on board bulk carriers while underway in the Singapore Strait.

27 Sep 2019

Excelerate to Build FLNG Terminal in Philippines

Philippine authorities have given Excelerate Energy LP permission to proceed on plans to develop a floating natural gas import terminal to supply existing and new power generation.Texas-headquartered player in floating LNG regasification solutions, received a notice to proceed (NTP) from the Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) to develop Luzon LNG, which would be a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) terminal in the Bay of Batangas.The project, Luzon LNG, will supply natural gas, sourced from LNG, to existing and new gas-fired power plants in the region that provide electricity to Luzon including the area of Metro Manila. This abundant and secure source of gas supply will augment the existing gas production from the domestic Malampaya fields…

06 Mar 2019

Port of Manila Cargo Flow Improves

The Port of Manila decongested its yard space by removing some overstaying containers said a port representative.The collaborative synergy between Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), port authorities and international shipping lines has yielded positive gains in significantly freeing up yard space and further easing cargo flows at the international gateway port Manila South Harbor.As of March 4, yard utilization at Manila South Harbor has reached optimal levels at 65 percent from high 90s in preceding weeks, owing largely to concrete steps taken by its stakeholders, the cooperation of importers and the support of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).In mid-February…

17 Jan 2019

Global Piracy Up in 2018, Gulf of Guinea Leads

Piracy increased on the world’s seas in 2018, with a marked rise in attacks against ships and crews around West Africa, the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) latest annual piracy report reveals.Worldwide, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) recorded 201 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery in 2018, up from 180 in 2017.The Gulf of Guinea remains increasingly dangerous for seafarers. Reports of attacks in waters between the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo more than doubled in 2018, accounting for all six hijackings worldwide, 13 of the 18 ships fired upon, 130 of the 141 hostages taken globally, and 78 of 83 seafarers kidnapped for ransom.The region saw a significant new spike in violence in the last quarter of 2018.

11 Jan 2019

Phoenix Petroleum to Build Philippines First LNG Terminal

Philippines fuel retailing firm Phoenix Petroleum said it won government approval to build the country’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in partnership with China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC).The Department of Energy (DOE) has granted notice to proceed (NTP) to their joint venture firm Tanglawan Philippines LNG Inc. to build an LNG terminal in Batangas.Phoenix Petroleum said in a stock exchange annoucement that it plans to break ground on the facility within the year. The facility has a capacity of 2.2 metric tons per annum, with commercial operations targeted to start in 2023.Phoenix does not say how much the project will cost…

25 Nov 2018

Philippine's Batangas Port Hits Record Cargo Volume in November

The Batangas International Port or locally known as the Batangas Pier in Philippines said that  Batangas Container Terminal (BCT), managed by listed Asian Terminals Inc.(ATI), has continuously stepped up its role as international trade facilitator in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and has effectively helped decongest Metro Manila roads.Early in November, BCT achieved a new operations milestone as it broke through the 200,000-TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) cargo volume mark for the first time in a single year since its start-up in 2010.With this achievement and still a month to go before 2018 ends, BCT already surpassed its full-year cargo throughput of over 197,000 teus in 2017.

05 Nov 2018

Manila Ports Utilization Remains Healthy

Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) informed that the cargo volume in the country has registered a modest hike in the first seven months of the year despite the sluggish performances from almost all aspects of local and foreign trade.Latest data from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) showed that Philippine cargo traffic totaled 147.271 million metric tons (MMT) in the January to July 2018 period or a 2% hike compared to the 144.412 MMT handled in the same period last year.The data also showed that foreign cargo throughput handled is at 87.639 MMT or some 1.64% higher than the figure posted a year earlier wherein import volume handled is at 53.654 MMT and export traffic at 33.985 MMT.

21 Jun 2018

LNG to Benefit Philippines, Says ADB Energy Expert

The Philippines stands to benefit from introducing liquefied natural gas (LNG) to support power generation and making it part of its energy mix, the government's Philippine News Agency reported quoting  an energy sector expert for the Asian Development Bank (ADB). “Right now and the foreseeable future, natural gas and LNG is much cheaper today compared to two to three years ago, so there is a chance for the Philippines and for the countries in Asia to benefit from LNG and this is window of opportunity I think,” ADB chief of energy sector group Dr. Yongping Zhai said in an interview on Thursday. Zhai believes that LNG, a cleaner gas compared to coal, could be “very much part” of the Philippines' energy mix depending on its viability.

15 Apr 2018

APL Adds Port Calls to CP1 Service

APL, one of the world’s leading ocean carriers,  announced that its China Philippines Express 1 (CP1) service will be making additional calls at the Chinese port of Xiamen and Batangas in the Philippines. This development extends the market coverage of the shortsea service that links South China and the Philippines. Each week, the enhanced CP1 service will directly call the Batangas port, facilitating shipments into and out of the economically-thriving Calabarzon region in the Philippines. Besides expecting an improved connectivity between China and the Philippines, shippers may leverage APL’s extensive service network for farther market connectivity via the relay hubs of Hong Kong and Shekou where the CP1 service also calls.

09 Apr 2018

Philippine Coast Guard Seeks 17 after Marine Casualties

The Philippine coast guard was searching on Monday for 17 crew of a landing craft that went adrift south of the capital, Manila, one of three weekend accidents at sea, an agency spokesman said. Sea accidents are frequent in the Philippines, comprised of more than 7,000 islands, with lax regulations, ageing marine vessels and strong waves all contributing. "Seventeen crew are missing and we are still looking for them," said the spokesman, Captain Armand Balilo, adding that the craft lost power near Fortune Island, a tourist spot in Batangas province. Elsewhere, authorities on Sunday rescued all 14 boat passengers, mostly tourists, on the holiday island of Palawan and 19 people from a boat in the southeastern province of Camarines Norte…

10 Jan 2018

Maritime Piracy Activity is at a 22-year Low -Report

In March 2017 fuel tanker Aris 13 was attacked by armed pirates off the coast of Somalia (Photo: EU NAVFOR)

Global maritime piracy activity fell to its lowest level in over two decades, according to the latest International Maritime Bureau (IMB) report. The 180 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported to the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) IMB in 2017 was the lowest annual number since 1995, when 188 incidents were reported. According to the IMB, pirates boarded 136 vessels in 2017, while 22 attacks were attempted, 16 vessels fired upon and six vessels hijacked.

11 Jul 2017

ICTSI Subic on Growth Path

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) new Container Freight Station (CFS) at the Subic Bay Freeport is at the forefront of ensuring the faster movement of goods in the Northern and Central Luzon markets. The two regions continue to grow, driven by industrial centers like Subic, Clark, Bataan, and Tarlac. Launched last year, the CFS is one of Subic Bay International Corp.’s (SBITC) value-added services. The CFS, envisioned to serve as a regional distribution center (RDC), makes the more efficient movement of goods possible because of its quicker clearing periods compared to other RDCs. It saves time, cuts costs, thereby helping improve margins for companies doing business with other countries.

09 Dec 2016

New Patrol Vessel for PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has taken delivery of a new Japanese-built patrol vessel in Manila on December 8. The new vessel, Malabrigo (MRRV-4402), is the second in the Parola-class patrol vessel series of 10 new 44-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRV) being built and delivered by the Japan Marine United Corporation (JMUC) Yokohama shipyard in Japan. The vessel, named after the Malabrigo Point Lighthouse situated in Lobo, Batangas, will be an additional floating asset to the search and rescue vessels currently being utilized by the Philippine Coast Guard. The new vessel will further strengthen the agency’s capability in functions such as the law enforcement, security, search and rescue, environmental protection and safety administration within the country’s maritime domain.

20 Apr 2016

Ship Owner to Pay Ransom for Indonesian Hostages

Indonesian government said that the company that owns the hijacked tugboat Brahma 12 has agreed to pay the 50-million-peso ($1 million) ransom demanded by the Philippine rebel group Abu Sayyaf for the release of 10 Indonesian crewmembers who have been held hostage since March 26. Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan confirmed this, saying the company and the militants, believed to be linked to Abu Sayyaf, may next communicate today. Negotiations for the handover of the money and the captives are still ongoing, said Luhut. "They've already agreed that the 50 million pesos will be handed over at a specific location," he said, according to Indonesian newspaper Republika.

11 Apr 2016

Philippine Coast Guard Performs Double Rescue

The Philippine Coast Guard was called upon to provide assistance to two maritime incidents in Iloilo City Saturday, April 9 which resulted to the safe disposition of the vessels and crews. The first incident involved motor boat Golden Light, which encountered engine trouble at the vicinity waters of Nogas Island, Antique. Upon receipt of a report from Roque Dela Torre of Cargo Checker of Neptune Transport Inc., the personnel of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Iloilo proceeded to the area and assisted in the towing of the boat to Parola Wharf. On the same day, motor tanker Mary Queen of the Orient ran aground 20 meters away from light station Iloilo Jetty Red in Iloilo River.

10 Mar 2016

DP World in Philippines Talks

Dubai-based DP World Group chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has held discussions with senior Philippines officials on trade and business opportunities. DP World is present in the Philippines through its stake in Asian Terminals Inc., which operates the modern South Harbour in Manila. ATI is the sole container terminal and multi-cargo port operator of South Harbour, the Philippines' key terminal in the country's biggest market providing services for containerised and non-containerised cargoes and passengers. The discussions revolved around the government's plans for development of the maritime sector, privatisation and efforts to develop infrastructure.