Much of the success or failure of the port business lies in its vessel traffic management system (VTMS) the key component of which is the port's radar coverage or vessel tracking and detection.
After waiting for five years, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) which operates the Subic Freeport will now be able to install a modern, state-of-the-art vessel traffic management system.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño said the Authority proposed and requested funding for the upgrade of the system since 2019. This was approved by the government under the General Appropriations Act of 2021, with an approved allocation of P270 million.
The shift to a modern and more capable VTMS has become imperative because the old system that is currently in use at the Port of Subic already has some deficiencies.
It was revealed by the senior deputy administrator for port operations that certain areas in the north of Subic Bay, Triboa Bay in the east and areas around and beyond Grande Island have zero radar coverage. One can imagine the potential economic and financial damage, possible loss of lives and injuries to stakeholders, not to mention the disastrous publicity it would entail, if two ships collide at the Freeport because of poor management and outdated technology.
The new VTMS will have a hardware that is easier to install, operate and configure. It will be more powerful than predecessor and integrates more efficiently into the software.
The winning bidder for the project is Northwind Communications and Electronic Inc.-Xanatos Marine Ltd. with a contract amount of P233 million. A notice to proceed was issued to the company on June 14, 2022.
We might say that with the importance the vessel traffic management system plays in the overall operation of the Subic Freeport, the government is spending wisely every peso of the allocated amount for this project by Northwide-Xanatos.
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